A massive police and military raid, involving around 2,500 personnel, struck the favela complexes (Complexo do Alemão and Complexo da Penha) on 28 October 2025, in the North Zone of the city. Authorities say at least 64 people were killed in the raid including four police officers, while 81 individuals were arrested.
The scale of the violence marks the deadliest police operation in Rio's recent history. The government declared it was part of a 'war' against organised crime and so-called 'narco-terrorism'. Large quantities of weapons (including about 93 rifles) and illegal drugs (over 0.5 tonne) were seized. As police and special forces began their pre-dawn advance around 4 a.m., Red Command gang members responded with gunfire, burning cars, and barricades across the streets. In a first for Rio, the group allegedly used weaponised drones to attack officers with explosives.
🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro is on lockdown: 64 killed and 81 arrested in Brazil's largest-ever anti-cartel operation
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 29, 2025
A massive police operation against the far-left Comando Vermelho (Red Command) cartel in Rio de Janeiro state lasted through the night.
The city is now under lockdown.… pic.twitter.com/zJy8vlXdGz
🇧🇷 #Brazil: At least 64 people have been killed as a result of armed clashes between Brazilian government forces and Comando Vermelho criminal organization in the city of Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) October 28, 2025
This operation, launched by the security forces, is said to be the bloodiest in… pic.twitter.com/WdhIndeZnm
Moradores já desceram mais 56 corpos já confirmados no Complexo da Penha e Complexo do Alemão. 64 corpos já foram noticiados. OU SEJA, pelo menos 120 MORTES. A maior chacina da história do Rio de Janeiro do Cláudio Castro e Eduardo Paes. #RJNoAr
— Cássio Oliveira (@cassioolivveira) October 29, 2025
CLÁUDIO CASTRO CRIMINOSO
PEC DA… pic.twitter.com/vj3S29Orev
ISSO FOI UMA CHACINA NO RIO DE JANEIRO, NUNCA UMA OPERAÇÃO. Ao menos mais 50 corpos encontrados.
— Jeje ✨ (@jejezaum) October 29, 2025
CLÁUDIO CASTRO CRIMINOSO
🎥 reprodução RaullSantiago pic.twitter.com/TnRk2DMEUU
This operation highlights how entrenched organised crime is in Rio's favelas and how the state is responding with large-scale militarised force. Yet the heavy death toll and community disruption suggest that while the gang was targeted, the broader challenge to secure, public-safety remains unresolved in these neighbourhoods and may call for more than just one-off raids.
