Rio de Janeiro authorities identify most victims of Brazil’s deadliest police raid amid protests and UN criticism over potential unlawful killings.
RIO DE JANEIRO: Rio de Janeiro authorities confirmed they have identified most victims from Brazil’s deadliest police operation as protesters condemned the high casualty count.
The Tuesday raids targeted the Comando Vermelho gang controlling drug trafficking in several favelas, resulting in 121 fatalities including four police officers.
Civil police secretary Felipe Curi reported that 99 bodies had been identified by Friday morning, with 42 having outstanding arrest warrants and 78 possessing prior criminal records.
State officials continue defending the operation as successful, with Governor Claudio Castro claiming the “only real victims” were the slain officers.
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United Nations experts and security specialists have strongly criticized the high death toll as potentially unlawful killings requiring thorough investigation.
Left-leaning social movements gathered Friday in the Penha favela complex where the raids occurred, demanding an end to military incursions into favelas.
Protesters distributed shirts bearing slogans like “Stop killing us” and “Black lives matter” during the emotional demonstrations.
Rio councilwoman Monica Benicio declared the incident constituted “extermination, a massacre” rather than legitimate public security policy.
An AtlasIntel opinion poll published Friday revealed 55% of Brazilians approved of the operation, with support reaching 62% among Rio de Janeiro residents.
The pollster noted that favela residents themselves overwhelmingly backed the police raids despite the high casualties.
Rio security officials maintained their transparent approach to the operation following a full year of investigations.
Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s administration expressed surprise about the state police operation while calling for coordinated anti-gang efforts.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad emphasized the necessity of suffocating organized crime financing beyond territorial control and arrest warrants. – Reuters
