Chaos and Control: Rio's Police Raid and its Aftermath

Fri Nov 14 2025 00:56:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a recent police operation in Rio de Janeiro, over 120 people died, raising questions about the efficacy and ethics of such raids against gang violence. Residents report little change in gang dominance despite the heightened police presence.

A massive police raid in Rio de Janeiro aimed at dismantling the notorious Comando Vermelho gang resulted in over 120 deaths, including four officers. The operation, involving 2,500 officers, has been met with criticism due to its high death toll and perceived brutality. Officials claim success in arresting gang members, but doubts linger about targeting the gang's leadership. Residents report ongoing gang control, with daily life largely unaffected by the operation. Governor Claudio Castro insists on continuing these efforts despite the backlash, promising more operations against organized crime.

New details which have emerged in the aftermath of Brazil's deadliest police operation are casting doubts over whether the raid really struck at the heart of one of the country's most powerful criminal gangs, as was its stated aim.

One hundred and twenty one people, among them four police officers, were killed in the raid on 28 October in Rio de Janeiro.

The governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Claudio Castro, described the police operation as a success, posting a photo showing the more than 100 rifles seized by police.

But rights groups have sharply criticised the security forces pointing to the high death toll and what they have described as the brutality of their actions. The operation was the largest ever carried out by Rio's security forces and saw 2,500 officers deployed to the Alemão and Penha neighbourhoods.

It targeted the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) criminal gang, which rules over the nine-million-square-metre area.

Rio's public safety secretary, Victor dos Santos, told Reuters that the goal of the operation had been to carry out scores of arrest warrants issued by prosecutors.

But when BBC Brasil cross-checked the list of the deceased published by police against the 68 names on the list of suspects provided by prosecutors, it found that none of them matched. Local media have also pointed out that even though scores of suspects were arrested during the raid, the man considered the gang's most powerful leader, Edgar Alves de Andrade, also known as Doca, was not among them.

Residents of the Alemão and Penha have described that their daily lives have barely changed since the mega-operation, recounting seeing armed men roaming the community the very next day. Gangs like CV enforce strict rules over the areas they control, impacting even daily life.

Comando Vermelho not only controls drug sales but also monopolizes the provision of gas, cable television, internet, and transportation. Consequently, residents often pay significantly more for these services.

Punishments for transgressions are severe, and gang members exert control over residents’ relationships and even clothing choices, maintaining a grip through fear.

Despite the criticisms, Governor Claudio Castro insists on further operations against organized crime, aiming to raise his approval rating amidst public dissatisfaction, claiming that Rio is fighting back against crime.