Police raids targeting drug gangs in three Brazilian states have resulted in at least 43 deaths. In Rio de Janeiro, a recent operation in the Complexo da Penha area led to a shoot-out, leaving at least 10 people dead. In São Paulo state, 14 people died during a five-day police raid known as Operation Shield. In Bahia, 19 suspects have been killed since Friday.
During the São Paulo operation, 58 people were arrested, and police seized 385kg of narcotics and guns. However, Brazil’s Justice Minister Flavio Dino criticized the police’s response, deeming it disproportionate to the crime committed.
In Rio de Janeiro, the operation targeted a drug trafficking meeting in Complexo da Penha, resulting in the deaths of a drug trafficking kingpin, a trafficker, and eight others. Schools were closed, and house visits by the health service were suspended due to security concerns.
The NGO Instituto Marielle Franco condemned the events, referencing the repetition of violent massacres in the country. Before her murder in 2018, Marielle Franco had criticized police raids and paramilitary groups in densely populated shanty towns.
Brazil has a history of police violence, with regular shoot-outs leading to fatalities. Rio de Janeiro is one of the country’s most violent states, and operations to tackle drug crime in areas like favelas often result in accusations of poorly trained and trigger-happy authorities.
In the north-eastern state of Bahia, clashes between police and gang members in three cities resulted in deaths and seizures of guns, phones, and drugs. The country faces high levels of gun violence and growing concerns about security, leading to calls for an investigation into human rights abuses committed by the police.
