Brazil: More than 20 dead in a police operation in the favela of Rio de Janeiro

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Armed police officers in action in the poor district of Jacarezinho in northern Rio

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RICARDO MORAES / REUTERS

More than 20 people were killed in a police operation in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, the exact number is still unclear.

In the early hours of the morning, security forces had rallied to arrest drug traffickers in the poor Jacarezinho district in the north of the city.

Also because they recruit minors for their illegal activities.

Jacarezinho is a stronghold of the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gang, which is considered the largest criminal organization in Rio de Janeiro.

Powerful criminal syndicates such as the "Comando Vermelho" and a number of smaller gangs are fighting in the slums to control drug trafficking and protection money.

According to the human rights group Instituto Fogo Cruzado (Crossfire Institute), which collects data on armed violence in Brazil, it was the deadliest operation since the NGO was founded five years ago.

In July, the Supreme Court in Brasilia suspended police operations in favelas during the corona pandemic.

These are only allowed in "absolute exceptional cases".

ngo / dpa / afp