OSINTdefender@sentdefender
Smoke seen rising and fires burn across the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro earlier today, as Brazil launches its largest ever police raid, involving more than 2,500 officers and soldiers, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and drones, against Comando Vermelho, a Brazilian criminal organization engaged primarily in drug trafficking, arms trafficking, irregular warfare, and narco-terrorism throughout Rio.
Authorities state that at least 64 people have been killed in the raid, including 4 police officers, while 81 criminals were arrested and 93 rifles were seized along with more than half a ton of drugs. Ten of those arrested are said to be gang leaders and will be transferred to federal prisons in Brazil. The main goal of the operation was to “combat the territorial expansion” of Comando Vermelho, which was successful, according to the Governor of Rio de Janeiro.
Today’s operation is likely an attempt by the Brazilian Government to “clean up” Rio de Janeiro prior to next week’s C40 World Mayors Summit 2025, which take place November 3-5 in Rio and bring together mayors from nearly 100 C40 cities, alongside business leaders, philanthropists, investors, academics, and civil society. The C40 Summit will be co-hosted by the Mayor of London and C40 Cities Co-Chair Sadiq Khan and the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes.
