Fierce Clashes Between Police and Drug Cartels in Rio de Janeiro

According to local authorities, the clashes began after police attempted a large-scale operation against a cartel controlling several districts of the city. In response, criminals launched a series of attacks on police patrols and blocked key highways. As a result, most public transport services have been suspended, and schools and shopping centers have been closed.

The governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, accused Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of refusing to deploy the army to stabilize the situation. He stressed that regional forces are unable to cope with the scale of violence and that federal military support is urgently needed.

The Brazilian government has not yet issued an official response to the governor’s appeal. Representatives of the presidential administration stated that “the authorities are monitoring the situation” and that the decision to involve the army “will depend on developments.” Meanwhile, armed groups remain on the streets, shootings continue, and residents report widespread power outages and communication disruptions.

According to police, the operation aims to dismantle major drug and weapons supply routes in the city’s suburbs. Authorities describe the ongoing violence as one of the most serious outbreaks in recent years.