At least 64 people were killed in Rio de Janeiro’s deadliest-ever police operation on Tuesday, just days before the city hosts global events related to the United Nations climate summit known as COP30. The large-scale raid targeted powerful criminal gangs operating in the city’s northern neighbourhoods, authorities said.
🚨 Maior operação da história do Rio de Janeiro. Quero falar com vocês sobre o que está acontecendo. pic.twitter.com/C6bWPTU5P5
— Cláudio Castro (@claudiocastroRJ) October 28, 2025
Brazilian security forces have a history of carrying out major crackdowns ahead of international events. Similar operations were conducted before the 2016 Olympics, the 2024 G20 summit and the BRICS summit earlier this year.