Brazil: Clashes in Rio leave 5 dead and 26 arrested

At least five people died, and 26 were arrested on Monday, September 26, during a confrontation between police and drug traffickers at Complexo da Maré, in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone.

Residents and motorists were in the firing line, and the main highways in Rio were closed. Police officers went to contain an invasion attempt.

Since the early morning hours, residents reported intense gunfire at different points in the community, preventing many from going out to work.

At least 35 schools, four health clinics, and the University City of Rio de Janeiro’s Federal University (UFRJ) did not open.

Rio’s State Police claim that the five deaths are from criminals in a confrontation.

“In the action, there were 26 prisoners, seizure of seven rifles, eight pistols, a replica of a pressure/air gun, a grenade, approximately one ton of marijuana and 50 marijuana plants, 48 bottles of perfume spray, 20 stolen cars and motorcycles recovered, five criminals wounded in confrontation and who died, and three wounded criminals with an open warrant for arrest,” the MP detailed.

EMERGENCY OPERATION

According to the state government, it was an emergency operation after intelligence agencies identified an attempted invasion of another community in Maré, dominated by a rival faction.

The Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) and the Special Operations and Resources Coordination (Core), the elite forces of the Military Police and Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, mobilized 180 men, armored vehicles, and helicopters.

With information from G1

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error