Eduardo Paes: "Rio will not be held hostage by crime"

247 - The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Pais, reacted to the biggest police operation in the state's history and stated this Tuesday (28) that "Rio cannot and will not remain hostage to criminal groups."Pre-candidate for governor of the state in 2026Paes said that he is monitoring public security actions directly from CORE, Special Operations and Special Resources Center of the Civil PoliceHe assured that the city government will continue to act "with authority, command, and firmness" to protect the population and keep services running.

The statements were made in a video posted on social media, on the same day as a major joint operation by Civil police, Military police and state government transformed the Alemão and Penha complexesin the North Zone of Rio, in a war-like scenario. The operation mobilized approximately 2,5 agents and resulted in 81 arrests and 64 deaths, including those of four police officers, two civilians and two members of BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion)..

"The city government will continue to act with authority, leadership, and firmness."

In his speech, Eduardo Paes emphasized that he had ordered the maintenance of municipal services and support for the population in case of need. "I instructed all municipal agencies to maintain the normal functioning of their activities and to assist the population in case of need," he stated. According to him, the BRT system and other city services continued to operate normally during the operation.

Paes also emphasized that combating crime is a responsibility of all levels of government. "It is the duty of public authorities, regardless of the level of government, to be relentless against these criminal groups that seek to intimidate the working population," he said.

The context of the deadliest operation.

During a press conference at Integrated Command and Control Center (CICC), the governor Claudio Castro classified the offensive as "the biggest in history" He stated that it was planned to take place in wooded areas, outside of communities, with the goal of reducing risks to the population. According to the government, the action aimed to contain the territorial expansion of [the group/organization]. Red Command.

The operation was marked by intense clashes and resistance from criminals who used drones equipped with explosives, homemade bombs, and burning vehicles as barricades. Two civil police officers died in the line of duty. Marcos Vinicius Cardoso Carvalho, 51 years old, head of the 53rd DP (Mesquita), and Rodrigo Velloso Cabral, 34 years old, from the 39th DP (Pavuna).

During the press conference, the Secretary of Civil Police, Felipe Curi, announced the arrest of Thiago do Nascimento Mendes, Belão do Quitungo, identified as the right-hand man of Edgard Alves de Andrade, Doc, one of the main leaders of Comando Vermelho.

The ranking of the deadliest operations.

With 60 confirmed deathsTuesday's operation surpassed all previous records of police lethality in the state. Check out the deadliest operations in Rio de Janeiro's history:

1.  Alemão and Penha Complexes (October 2025) – 60 dead
2.  Jacarezinho (May 2021) – 28 dead
3.  Vila Cruzeiro (May 2022) – 24 dead
4.  Alemão and Penha Complexes (October 2025) – 24 dead
5.  Complexo do Alemão (June 2007) – 19 dead
6.  Senator Camará (January 2003) – 15 dead
7.  Fallet/Fogueteiro (February 2019) – 15 dead
8.  Complexo do Alemão (July 1994) – 14 dead
9.  Complexo do Alemão (May 1995) – 13 dead
10.  Vidigal Hill (July 2006) – 13 dead
11.  Catumbi (April 2007) – 13 dead

Criticism of the high lethality rate

Human rights organizations and opposition parliamentarians have stated that they will demand explanations regarding the high lethality and methods employed by the security forces. According to... Public Prosecutor's Office of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ)The mega-operation focused on fulfilling 51 arrest warrants against members of Comando Vermelho in the Penha Complex and had the support of gaeco, Security and Intelligence Coordination (CSI), Core and Bope.

The Public Prosecutor's Office of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ) pointed out that the Penha Complex is a strategic area for the flow of drugs and weapons due to its proximity to expressways. The agency denounced... 67 people arrested for association with drug trafficking. e three for tortureincluding faction leaders such as Doc, Pedro Bala, Garden e Big guy.

With 60 dead, the operation surpasses the Jacarezinho massacre (2021) and the Vila Cruzeiro operation (2022), establishing itself as the deadliest in Rio de Janeiro's history — and reigniting the debate about the limits of the government's public security policy. Claudio Castro.