A series of police raids targeting drug gangs across three Brazilian states have resulted in a reported death toll of at least 43 individuals.
In Rio de Janeiro, the most recent operation took place in the Complexo da Penha area, where police engaged in a shoot-out and reportedly killed at least 10 individuals.
Earlier, clashes during a five-day police raid in São Paulo state, known as Operation Shield, resulted in the deaths of 14 people.
In the state of Bahia, in the north-eastern region of Brazil, officials stated that 19 suspects have been killed since the start of the operations on Friday.
The São Paulo state operation led to the arrest of 58 individuals and the seizure of 385kg of narcotics, alongside firearms.
Despite these actions, the response of Brazilian authorities has faced criticism. Justice Minister Flavio Dino expressed concerns that the police’s reaction in Guarujá, São Paulo, was disproportionate to the crime committed.
Throughout these operations, clashes between heavily armed gang members and the police have caused disruption and casualties. The violence has also impacted communities, leading to the closure of schools and suspension of health services due to security concerns.
The raids signal a continuing effort to combat drug-related crime in Brazil, but they have also raised questions about the proportionality of the responses and the broader impact on affected communities.