At least 132 people lost their lives during the massive police operation in Rio de Janeiro, the deadliest in the city's recent history. So far, 72 bodies have been taken to São Lucas Square , while the official state government count is 64 dead . Of the victims, only four are police officers; the rest have not yet been identified.
Considered disastrous by specialists, the actions of the police under the command of Governor Cláudio Castro (PL) surpassed in lethality previous tragedies that until then were considered the bloodiest in Rio, such as Operation Jacarezinho in 2021, with 28 dead, and Operation Vila Cruzeiro in 2022, which left 24 victims.
The vast majority are young Black men . Reports are emerging of gunshot wounds to the face and bodies found bound . Rio's governor, Claudio Castro, called the operation a "success," reported teleSUR correspondent Nacho Lemus.
The National Network of Popular Lawyers (RENAP) condemned the operation and stated that Governor Castro's security policy "normalizes death" and replaces investigations with summary executions.
“What we are seeing is the increasingly normalized policy of death carried out by police forces against all residents of the favelas and peripheries of the state of Rio de Janeiro ,” the organization warned in a statement.
The Penha complex remains a scene of terror following the police operation. From the early hours of the morning, residents attempted to recover bodies abandoned in the Serra da Misericórdia forest , where armed clashes also took place.
Lawyer Mariana Rodrigues, a member of RENAP, warned about the possible existence of more bodies on the hilltop and denounced that units of the Special Operations Battalion (BOPE) could return to the area.
For its part, the Human Rights Commission of the Legislative Assembly (Alerj) launched an investigation in the Complexo do Alemão to monitor police actions and determine responsibilities.
Governor Cláudio Castro defended the operation and criticized the Supreme Court's decision limiting police actions in the favelas —known as the "ADPF of the Favelas "—calling it a "cursed legacy . "
Meanwhile, RENAP responded that the ruling represents a milestone in the fight against institutional violence and warned that current policy “institutionalizes barbarity , ” primarily affecting young black people and those from low-income backgrounds in Rio de Janeiro.