**
War-Like Chaos in Rio: 64 Dead in Brazil’s Deadliest Police Raid
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – A massive police raid on Rio’s Jacarezinho favela turned into one of Brazil’s bloodiest urban battles, leaving 64 dead, including one officer. More than 2,500 heavily armed police, backed by helicopters and armored vehicles, clashed with suspected drug traffickers in a war-like operation that has ignited fury over police brutality and Brazil’s escalating drug war.
The Raid: A Bloody Urban Battle
Before dawn on May 12, 2023, elite forces stormed Jacarezinho, a stronghold of the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) cartel. Police claimed the raid targeted traffickers recruiting children and plotting railway attacks.
Instead, gunfire raged for hours—police fired from helicopters while gang members shot back from rooftops. Bullets tore through homes, forcing families to hide. By midday, 64 were dead, mostly alleged traffickers—but human rights groups say many were innocent bystanders.
What Triggered Brazil’s Deadliest Police Operation?
Rio’s violence has surged under President Jair Bolsonaro, who champions aggressive policing. Critics call the raid politically motivated, citing Bolsonaro’s past remarks that criminals should “die like cockroaches.”
This was not an isolated incident—last year, a similar raid in Salgueiro left 28 dead. But Jacarezinho’s toll is Rio’s highest ever, raising alarms over extrajudicial killings.
Outrage & Allegations of a Massacre
Amnesty International condemned the raid as a “state-sponsored massacre.” Residents shared horrific images of bodies with hands tied, suggesting executions.
“This wasn’t policing—it was slaughter,” said a Jacarezinho resident (name withheld for safety). “We’re treated like animals.”
Brazil’s Failed Drug War: A Cycle of Violence
Despite billions spent on militarized crackdowns, drug gangs still dominate favelas. Experts say community investment, not bullets, could break the cycle.
“The state fuels the violence it claims to fight,” said sociologist Ignacio Cano.
What’s Next for Rio?
Protests erupted as authorities defended the raid. But with trust collapsing, Brazilians ask:
Is the drug war just a war on the poor?
Stay with NextMinuteNews for live updates.
**
