At least 18 people have been killed in a police operation in one of the largest slums in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro. Of those, 16 were suspected criminals, police said Thursday evening (local time). One of the other two victims was a police officer, and Brazilian news portal “G1” also reported that a resident was killed.
The target of the action in the complex consisting of several favelas of about 70,000 inhabitants in the north of the city was a gang that allegedly committed car and cargo theft and robbed banks. He “would have preferred not to respond, but unfortunately they would have preferred to attack the police,” police spokesman Ronaldo Oliveira said at a news conference. The operation started early in the morning and involved about 400 police officers – supported by four helicopters and ten armored vehicles.
In May, 24 people were killed in a police operation in the Vila Cruzeiro slum in Rio. More than a year ago, police officers murdered at least 28 suspected drug gang members in the bloodiest operation in Rio’s history in the Jacarezinho favela.
Gangs fight for control in slums
Powerful gangs battle for drug trafficking and protection money deals in the slums. Violence has repeatedly spilled over into other parts of Rio, affecting bystanders. In no other country in the world are so many people killed in police operations as in Brazil.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
