Brazil: Operation against cargo theft leaves 8 dead in a Rio de Janeiro favela

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A joint operation by the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro with agents of the Federal Police and the Federal Highway Patrol (PRF) ended in an intense exchange of fire and resulted in eight deaths in one of the many Rio de Janeiro favelas.

A raid by military police and federal agents in Vila Cruzeiro, a favela in the north zone of Rio de Janeiro, resulted in the death of at least eight people on Friday morning (11/2)

According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), the operation aimed to enforce an arrest warrant against drug traffickers from a cargo robbery gang.

According to the first partial report on the result of the mobilization, the agents seized six rifles, three pistols, and two grenades.

NO OTHER CITY IN BRAZIL HAS MORE FAVELA RESIDENTS

According to Catalytic Communities, close to 1.5 million people – around 23-24% of the population – live in favelas. That’s comparable to the percentage living in affordable housing (public, rent-controlled, cooperatives, community land trusts, and other models) worldwide.

Rio’s favelas are the country’s affordable housing market. Rio has more favela residents than any other Brazilian city, and, altogether, Rio’s favelas would comprise the ninth-largest city in the country.

There are over 1000 favelas in Rio. They range from newer or more challenged communities with slum-like conditions and a desire to resettle to functional, vibrant neighborhoods.