Intense shootouts have rocked Morro do Juramento, in Vicente de Carvalho, North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, since the start of the week of June 28, 2025. The war between the Comando Vermelho (CV) faction, led by the trafficker known as Urso, and the Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP), under the command of Lacoste da Serrinha, has resulted in at least four deaths, the seizure of rifles, and a direct impact on residents’ daily lives. In the early hours of Saturday, the Military Police (PM) clashed with armed criminals, intensifying operations to curb the violence. The scenario, worsened by territorial disputes, exposes the fragility of public security in areas dominated by drug trafficking. The escalation of clashes, recorded in videos circulating online, concerns authorities and residents, who report damaged homes and constant fear.
The conflict, ongoing for five days, reflects Comando Vermelho’s attempt to expand from the Complexo da Penha against TCP’s dominance in Morro do Juramento. The PM, with reinforced patrols, reported that the clashes began when an armed group tried to invade the community. The operation led to the seizure of five rifles and a pistol but also the death of four suspects, who were taken lifeless to Carlos Chagas Hospital. The violence, intensified on Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King Jr., turned the area into a battlefield, with barricades set up by traffickers to hinder police action.
- Confirmed deaths: Four suspects shot during confrontation with the PM.
- Seized weapons: Five rifles with erased serial numbers and one 9mm pistol.
- Affected area: Morro do Juramento and surroundings, including Juramentinho and Tomás Coelho.
- Involved factions: Comando Vermelho (Urso) and Terceiro Comando Puro (Lacoste).
The situation in Morro do Juramento is not isolated. The dispute between factions in Rio de Janeiro has worsened in 2025, with frequent shootouts in North Zone communities. The PM has intensified operations in the area, with support from the 41st BPM (Irajá) and the 1st Area Policing Command, but violence persists, fueled by historical rivalries and control over drug trafficking.
Escalation of Violence in the North Zone
The war in Morro do Juramento reflects a broader scenario of armed violence in Rio’s metropolitan region. Data from the Fogo Cruzado Institute indicate that, in the first 15 days of 2025, the North Zone accounted for 43% of shootouts recorded in Greater Rio, with Vila Isabel and Morro dos Macacos also affected by disputes between armed groups. In Juramento, violence erupted after Comando Vermelho’s attempts to consolidate its dominance, challenging TCP, which has held influence in the community for years.
Residents report nights of terror, with sounds of gunfire and explosions. Videos shared on social media show homes pierced by bullets and even an undetonated grenade, allegedly dropped by a drone. One resident, in a recording, mourns the damage to his grandmother’s house, with destroyed walls and scattered debris. The PM confirmed that barricades were set up by criminals to block access, complicating police operations.
The intensity of the clashes also affected mobility in the region. Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King Jr., a major North Zone thoroughfare, was a stage for shootouts, and residents avoid moving at night. On Friday, June 27, two bodies were found in areas near Juramento, including a 19-year-old near a footbridge in Tomás Coelho. The victims, according to the Fire Department, were already dead when teams arrived.
Police Action and Operational Challenges
The Military Police’s response to the factions’ advances included reinforced patrols and the mobilization of specialized units. The 41st BPM, responsible for the area, reported that the clashes began when agents encountered a heavily armed group on Avenida Pastor Martin Luther King Jr. The exchange of gunfire was intense, and five suspects were shot. Taken to Carlos Chagas Hospital, four did not survive their injuries.
The operation resulted in the seizure of heavy weaponry, including rifles with erased serial numbers, indicating the sophistication of the arsenal used by the factions. Additionally, a 9mm pistol was confiscated, reinforcing the groups’ military capacity. The PM emphasized that policing was intensified at Morro do Juramento’s main access points, with support from 1st CPA units, but challenges persist due to the community’s geography and the criminals’ tactics, such as barricades and drones.
- Police reinforcement: 41st BPM and 1st CPA mobilized to contain clashes.
- Heavy weaponry: Rifles and pistol seized in operation.
- Criminal tactics: Barricades and drones used to hinder police actions.
- Community impact: Residents report fear and material damage.
The Military Police also faced criticism from residents, who report abuses during operations. On social media, some users praised the PM’s actions, while others questioned the violence employed. A comment on an Instagram post mocked the situation, calling Rio “Narcos Rio,” referencing the series about drug trafficking. Another user lamented the insecurity, asking “who looks after the police” who face chaos daily.
Impact on Residents’ Lives
The routine in Morro do Juramento has been profoundly disrupted by the shootouts. Schools in the area suspended classes, and merchants report a drop in business due to customers’ fear. Residents avoid leaving home at night, and many report trauma from the constant sound of gunfire. A video shared online shows a resident pointing to bullet holes in his home’s wall, while another mentions the psychological impact on children and the elderly.
On Thursday, June 26, a resident was shot in the foot while returning home near Juramentinho. Taken to Getúlio Vargas State Hospital, he was discharged, but the case illustrates the risk civilians face amid clashes. The violence also affects the local economy, with markets and small businesses impacted by insecurity.
The situation in Juramento is not new, but the escalation in 2025 reignites the debate about the effectiveness of public security policies. Despite frequent operations, factions continue to operate with heavy weaponry and sophisticated strategies, such as using drones for attacks and surveillance. The Institute of Public Security (ISP) recorded the seizure of 732 rifles in the state in 2024, the highest number since 2007, but the flow of illegal weapons remains a challenge.
Other Operations in the City
In addition to Morro do Juramento, other areas of Rio faced police actions in the same week. In the early hours of Saturday, five suspects were arrested after a chase on Avenida Brasil, coming from a funk party in Vila do João, Complexo da Maré. The operation, conducted by the Manguinhos Pacifying Police Unit (UPP), resulted in the seizure of a rifle, a pistol, and ammunition. The arrested, according to the PM, are linked to trafficking in Morro do São Carlos.
The operation on Avenida Brasil highlights the connection between different trafficking-dominated communities. The suspects, three men and two women, were detained near Fiocruz, reinforcing the presence of armed groups in strategic city areas. The PM reported that the arrested will be investigated for drug trafficking and illegal weapon possession.
- Chase on Avenida Brasil: Five arrested after leaving funk party.
- Seized weapons: One rifle and one pistol confiscated.
- Operation location: Near Fiocruz, close to Manguinhos.
- Suspects’ link: Trafficking in Morro do São Carlos.
Violence Scenario in 2025
The war in Morro do Juramento reflects the rise in armed violence in Rio de Janeiro in 2025. According to the Fogo Cruzado Institute, the number of shootouts in the metropolitan region grew 36% in the first 15 days of the year compared to 2024. The North Zone, in particular, has been a stage for territorial disputes, with communities like Morro dos Macacos and Complexo da Penha also affected.
The escalation of violence is attributed to the reconfiguration of power among factions, with Comando Vermelho seeking to expand its dominance in TCP-controlled areas. The sophistication of criminal tactics, such as drones and grenades, underscores the authorities’ difficulty in curbing organized crime’s advance. Meanwhile, residents of Juramento and other communities live under the impact of a war that seems far from over.