Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro has been left reeling after a massive police operation against drug gangs turned into the deadliest in Brazil’s history, leaving at least 132 people dead, including several police officers. The large-scale raids took place across the favelas of Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha, two of Rio’s most violent neighborhoods long controlled by the Comando Vermelho, one of the country’s most powerful criminal factions.

The operation, involving more than 2,500 police and military officers, began before dawn and continued throughout the day as law enforcement units entered densely populated communities. According to authorities, the mission aimed to dismantle major drug networks that have been terrorizing residents and smuggling weapons across the region. Police officials said the raids had been planned for months, targeting leaders who had fled into forested areas surrounding the city.

As gunfire echoed through the streets, residents described scenes of chaos and fear. Local witnesses said that “bodies kept coming” as police collected casualties following hours of violent confrontations. Many homes were damaged, and several vehicles were set ablaze during the clashes.

Officials reported that more than 100 firearms were seized, along with explosives, drones, and large quantities of drugs. Over 110 suspects were arrested. Despite being hailed by local police as a successful blow against organized crime, the unprecedented death toll has sparked widespread criticism and alarm.

Human rights groups and international observers, including the United Nations Human Rights Office, have demanded a full investigation into the operation, raising concerns about potential extrajudicial killings. Activists say some of the victims may have been unarmed civilians caught in the crossfire.

Brazil’s Justice Minister expressed concern over the high number of deaths, noting that the federal government had not been informed of the operation in advance. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s administration has called for accountability and urged transparency in the ongoing investigations.

The clashes highlight the deep-rooted challenges Brazil faces in combating drug-related violence while protecting civilian lives. As the country prepares to host international events in the coming months, the scale and brutality of the raid have renewed questions about the balance between public security and human rights in Rio’s favelas.

Authorities are still working to confirm the final death toll as families search for missing loved ones. For many in Rio, the latest violence is a grim reminder that Brazil’s long war against organized crime continues to take a devastating toll on both sides of the law.