Post by : Rameen Ariff

In one of the deadliest police operations in Brazil’s history, security forces in Rio de Janeiro killed at least 121 people this week during a massive crackdown on the Comando Vermelho, one of the country’s most powerful and long-standing criminal organizations.

The large-scale raids targeted areas dominated by the Comando Vermelho (CV) — also known as the Red Command — which controls much of the drug trade in Rio and other Brazilian cities. The operation comes just days before Brazil hosts major global events including the UN COP30 Climate Summit and the C40 Global Mayors Meeting, increasing government pressure to restore security.

A Deadly Crackdown Before COP30

Authorities said the raids had been planned for more than two months. Police units moved strategically through Rio’s densely populated favelas, forcing gang members toward forested areas where special operations teams ambushed them.

Officials confirmed that several senior members of Comando Vermelho were among those killed. The raids, part of a broader anti-drug campaign, were aimed at weakening the gang’s network ahead of the upcoming Earthshot Prize awards, expected to draw international attention to Brazil.

Who Are the Comando Vermelho?

Founded in the 1970s inside a Rio de Janeiro prison, the Comando Vermelho was formed by a mix of political prisoners and common criminals during Brazil’s military dictatorship. The political prisoners introduced a system of discipline, hierarchy, and solidarity that became the foundation of the gang’s organized structure.

Initially meant for inmate protection, the CV grew rapidly, expanding into Rio’s favelas and taking control of drug trafficking, extortion, and armed robbery. Over the decades, the group evolved into a dominant criminal empire, imposing its own rules in neighborhoods under its control.

Today, the Comando Vermelho controls vast parts of Rio’s outskirts and favelas, maintaining influence through fear, money, and social control. According to Insight Crime, the gang’s membership is estimated at around 30,000, making it one of Brazil’s largest criminal networks.

A Rivalry That Fuels Violence

The Comando Vermelho has long been locked in brutal conflict with the First Capital Command (PCC) — another major crime syndicate based in São Paulo that operates an extensive international drug network.

Although the two groups briefly agreed to a truce in early 2025, it collapsed within weeks, sparking renewed violent turf wars. The CV also faces competition from smaller paramilitary groups and rival gangs such as Terceiro Comando (Third Command).

Expansion Beyond Rio

In recent years, the CV has expanded its operations to other states including Amazonas, Bahia, Goias, and Espirito Santo, seeking to secure routes for drug and arms trafficking through the Amazon region.

A report by the Brazilian Public Security Forum highlighted that violent disputes between gangs — especially between CV and PCC — have caused a sharp rise in homicide rates in the Amazon, where key cocaine routes link South America to global markets.

Police Justify the Operation

Authorities emphasized that the operation was not spontaneous but a carefully planned assault to reclaim control from the Comando Vermelho. State police said their goal was to push gang members out of residential zones and neutralize armed resistance without putting civilians at risk.

Officials also confirmed that leaders from multiple states were targeted, indicating a coordinated effort to dismantle the gang’s national command structure.

Legacy of Fear and Power

Despite repeated crackdowns, the Comando Vermelho continues to wield enormous power. Its influence runs deep within Rio’s favelas, where poverty, lack of opportunity, and weak governance create fertile ground for criminal control.

Security experts warn that while the latest raid dealt a heavy blow to the gang, it may not eliminate its presence completely. The Comando Vermelho’s networks remain strong, and retaliatory violence could follow in the coming weeks.

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