The death toll from a Rio de Janeiro police raid in the favelas of Alemão and Penha has risen to at least 132, according to the public defender’s office, though the official figure is still being determined. The raid, which was the deadliest in the city’s history, involved extensive gunfire and the use of drones by both police and alleged gang members of the Red Command. Authorities, including Brazil’s President and the United Nations Human Rights office, have expressed shock and concern over the high number of fatalities, which occurred in a region known for gang activity and drug-related violence. The operation, which involved the arrest of key gang members, took place amid the backdrop of the upcoming C40 World Mayors Summit and Earthshot Prize events in the city.
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In Rio de Janeiro, a massive police raid targeting the Red Command gang resulted in at least 64 fatalities, making it the city’s deadliest single-day operation. The raid, involving over 2,500 officers, focused on favelas near the airport, sparking intense gun battles and the alleged use of weaponized drones by the criminals. Authorities declared the city “at war” as they sought to arrest Red Command leaders, seizing numerous automatic rifles. The operation has drawn criticism from human rights activists and community leaders, who argue such actions exacerbate the cycle of violence and fail to address the root causes of the crime.
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Brazilian authorities thwarted a planned bomb attack targeting Lady Gaga’s record-breaking Rio de Janeiro concert, which drew an estimated 2.1 million attendees. The plot involved a hate-speech group radicalizing teenagers online, using coded language and extremist symbolism to recruit participants for coordinated attacks using explosives and Molotov cocktails. A man identified as the group’s leader was arrested, along with a teenager detained on unrelated charges. The successful prevention of the attack highlights the significant security operation surrounding the massive, free concert, which injected an estimated £79.9 million into the local economy.
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John Q. Hosedrinker