Police launch large operation in Rio de Janeiro favelas
"There is no place that the authorities cannot reach, Governor Claudio Castro of Rio de Janeiro stated. According to him, 20 suspects were arrested.
The police frequently raid the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, known as hideouts for drug gangs and other criminal bands. Raids in the labyrinthine alleys of the neighborhoods are common.
The goal of the currently ongoing operation, as stated by Governor Castro, is to end the "war between drug dealers and militias in the West of Rio." In this area, the drug cartel Comando Vermelho is fighting with armed militias for dominance.
Militias formed decades ago when former policemen and soldiers came together to offer protection to residents against drug gangsters. From this, powerful criminal organizations emerged, which control parts of Rio de Janeiro, extort protection money, and are active in the drugs and weapons trade."
- Despite Governor Castro's assertion that authorities can reach any place, the 'Armenviertel' in Rio de Janeiro, a term for the Quarter of the Poor, remains a challenge due to its popularity among criminal activities.
- The police's big deployment in Rio de Janeiro's favelas during January was aimed at ending the violent conflicts between drug dealers and militias, particularly in the Western part of the city.
- The Militia, formed by former policemen and soldiers in Rio de Janeiro, initially offered protection to residents against drug gangsters but later evolved into powerful criminal organizations controlling parts of the city, engaging in the drugs and weapons trade.
- Governor Castro announced a significant operation in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, targeting the ongoing "war" between drug dealers and militias, which has frequently resulted in raids in the labyrinthine alleys of these neighborhoods.
- The favelas in Rio de Janeiro, often used as hideouts for criminal activities like drug trafficking, are frequently targeted by the police in an attempt to maintain law and order in the city.
