War in Rio de Janeiro leaves 121 dead in clashes in the Penha and Alemão favela complexes

Rio de Janeiro’s Civil and Military Police conducted on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the deadliest operation in the state’s history, with 121 deaths recorded in the Penha and Alemão favela complexes in the northern zone of the capital. The action, named Containment, aimed to enforce arrest warrants against Red Command leaders and resulted in 117 suspects killed, plus four police officers. Governor Cláudio Castro stated that the operation followed a year-long investigation to dismantle the criminal faction.

Residents found dozens of bodies in the woods after the clash and transported them to Praça São Lucas in Penha, where they were lined up. The Civil Police updated the tally on Wednesday, October 29, confirming the total number of victims. State authorities highlighted that the strategy avoided greater damage to homes.

Tactical strategy used in the action

Agents formed the so-called “Bope Wall” to encircle suspects and direct them to the wooded area, away from buildings. Special Operations Battalion teams positioned themselves in advance on Serra da Misericórdia.

Public Security Secretary Victor Santos explained that the tactical maneuver reduced risks to civilians. Four residents were injured, classified as minimal collateral damage.

The operation involved 2,500 police officers at 180 addresses, focusing on arresting 69 main targets.

Details of seizures and arrests

113 people were detained, including 33 from other states. Police seized 118 weapons, including 91 rifles, plus ammunition and vehicles.

Suspects used drones to drop explosives on teams during the morning advance. Authorities transferred captured leaders to maximum-security prisons.

• 91 rifles and 27 pistols collected;
• Nine motorcycles abandoned by criminals;
• Homemade explosives found in hideouts.

Reactions from residents and protests

Witnesses reported searching for relatives in the woods after the prolonged shootout. A group of residents protested in Praça da Penha against the violence of the action.

In the late afternoon of Wednesday, demonstrators gathered in front of the state government headquarters. Families awaited body identification at the Forensic Medical Institute.

Seamstress Tauã Brito, who lost her son in the operation, questioned the lack of social measures in the area. Local activists helped remove corpses from the dense vegetation.

Position of state authorities

Governor Cláudio Castro defended the operation as exhaustively planned over 60 days. He emphasized compliance with judicial deadlines for search and arrest warrants.

Victor Santos denied summary executions and stated that all deceased suspects carried heavy weaponry. The action occurred without relation to upcoming international events in the city.

Internal investigations will examine reports of excesses presented by families. The Public Prosecutor’s Office will send independent experts to the IML for body analyses.

Federal involvement and announced cooperation

Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski reported that the federal government received no prior invitation for logistical support. The Federal Police Superintendence in Rio refused participation due to planning disagreements.

After a meeting in Brasília, Castro and Lewandowski created an emergency office against organized crime. President Lula expressed surprise at the scale of the operation.

PF chief Andrei Rodrigues confirmed that the national leadership only learned of the state refusal after the action began. Measures aim to integrate efforts between government levels.

History of lethal actions in Brazil

The operation surpassed the Carandiru massacre in São Paulo in 1992, with 111 inmates killed. In Rio, the Jacarezinho raid in 2021 recorded 28 deaths.

Other notable actions include Operation Exceptis, with 25 deaths in 2020. Experts compare the current event to interventions in Manaus and the Alemão Complex in 1994.

The Brazilian Public Security Forum monitors the pattern of lethality in favelas. The UN demanded swift investigations under international human rights norms.

Identification of police victims

Four officers lost their lives in the clash: Rodrigo Velloso Cabral, from the 39th DP, aged 34 with 40 days in the force; Cleiton Serafim, married with a daughter; Heber Fonseca, father of two children; and another officer not detailed.

Burials took place on Wednesday in family ceremonies. The Civil Police paid tribute to colleagues during a press conference.

Airlines flexed flight rescheduling to Rio due to the operation’s impact on urban mobility.