RIO DE JANEIRO (Rapid Squad) – Elite units of Rio de Janeiro’s police forces launched a series of high-intensity raids this week across several massive informal settlements, resulting in intense shootouts, major arrests, and renewed debate over the use of lethal force in marginalized communities.

The operations, spearheaded by the Military Police’s Special Operations Battalion (BOPE) and the Civil Police, targeted organized crime factions believed to be involved in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and extortion in areas like Complexo do Alemão and Vila Cruzeiro.

Initial reports confirm that the raids, which involved armored vehicles and helicopters, led to the deaths of at least 119 individuals identified by authorities as suspected criminals. Several police officers were also injured in the exchanges of fire, and authorities reported seizing dozens of automatic weapons and large caches of narcotics.

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