At least 132 individuals, including four police officers, lost their lives on Tuesday in a major police operation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, various media outlets have reported.

This operation unfolded within the city’s favelas, impoverished neighborhoods that have long battled the grip of organized crime. According to the BBC, it marked the most lethal raid in Rio’s history. The authorities aimed to dismantle drug cartels that dominate large segments of the city, focusing specifically on the formidable Comando Vermelho, or “Red Command,” known for its extensive influence.

The death toll was reported by the local public defender’s office, though Rio’s state Governor, Cláudio Castro, emphasized that forensic investigations were ongoing. He mentioned the official count he had was 58 fatalities, but acknowledged that this figure was “likely to change.”

Amid the operation, police escorted a suspect out of the Vila Cruzeiro favela, part of the Penha complex, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The raid, involving at least 2,500 security agents, sought to apprehend drug traffickers. (Photo by Mauro Pimintel/AFP via Getty Images)

“To be honest, the area of conflict wasn’t densely populated—it was primarily in forested areas,” Castro remarked. “I doubt anyone was casually wandering through the woods on such a day of conflict. This context helps us categorize the situation more clearly.”

Authorities said gang members allegedly used drones to drop explosives on police officers as the operation unfolded.

“This is how the Rio police are treated by criminals: with bombs dropped by drones. This is the scale of the challenge we face. This is not ordinary crime, but narco-terrorism,” Castro said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed shock over the killings and said he was surprised the federal government had not been informed about the raid beforehand.

Rio de Janeiro’s public security chief Victor dos Santos addresses the media as weapons (not pictured) are displayed, which the police said were captured during what was the deadliest police operation in Brazil’s history. (Reuters/Tita Barros)

On X, formerly Twitter, Castro said the raid had been planned for more than two months following a year-long investigation and that “the scenario encountered was the one that had been anticipated.”

He also paid tribute to the four officers killed during the operation.

“Marcus Vinícius Cardoso de Carvalho, commissioner of the 53rd Police Station; Rodrigo Velloso Cabral, from the 39th Police Station; and Cleiton Serafim Gonçalves and Heber Carvalho da Fonseca, both sergeants of BOPE, gave their lives fulfilling the duty to protect the Fluminense population,” the governor wrote.

On Wednesday, Castro’s office said 113 people had been arrested, 10 teenagers were detained and authorities seized 91 rifles, 29 pistols, 14 explosive devices and one ton of cocaine.

Officials display firearms during a press conference, which the police said were captured during what was the deadliest police operation in Brazil’s history, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 29, 2025.  (Reuters/Tita Barros)

The deadly raid has renewed debate in Brazil over police tactics, human rights, and the government’s ongoing struggle to control powerful gangs entrenched in Rio’s impoverished communities.