In the operation in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, the police had to open fire in response. 10 people were killed in the shootout. Additionally, 14 people were killed during clashes in a five-day police operation named "Shield" in the state of São Paulo.
In the state of Bahia, 19 people suspected of drug trafficking were also reported to have been killed. This was reported by BBC on August 2.
After a member of the police special forces was killed, the police arrested 58 people in São Paulo. The operations resulted in the seizure of 385 kg of drugs and weapons.
According to Rio de Janeiro's military police, the operation in the largest favela complex in the municipality of Penha began after receiving information about a meeting of drug traffickers. Eyewitnesses reported that the clashes between the police and armed gang members started at three in the morning, describing the situation as a real massacre.
A member of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly, Talíria Petrone, condemned the police actions, saying that
"It is impossible to explain why the state continues to turn life in the favelas into such hell."
The police claim they only opened fire in response during the operations. However, human rights activists criticize the authorities' actions and accuse them of excessive use of force. Representatives of Amnesty International stated that the operation in São Paulo state shows "clear signs of revenge for the death of a police officer."
According to the Brazilian NGO "Forum of Public Security," in 2022, Brazilian police killed 6,429 people.
Common occurrences in Favelas
Anti-drug raids in favelas are not uncommon in Rio, but since the court limited police operations in these areas, the death toll from shootouts has sharply decreased. In the first month after this decision, the number of deaths decreased by 70% compared to the average rates since 2007, according to researchers. This decline was not followed by an increase in crime rates.
The number of thefts and robberies decreased by 40%, and murders decreased by 48%. According to researchers, this indicates that police operations are not the most effective way to combat crime.
Sociologist Ignácio Cano from the Violence Analysis Laboratory at Rio State University believes that the police do not always have valid reasons for conducting raids.
He says:
"To claim that drug traffickers are exploiting children is just mockery. Everyone already knows that children work for these gangs. Calling it a reason for a massive raid is just ridiculous."
Rio de Janeiro is a Brazilian city with the highest percentage of its population living in favelas. Slum areas are home to 1.3 mn people.
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