Source: Aljazeera

DST News: Hundreds of protesters marched through Vila Cruzeiro on Friday, demanding the resignation of Rio de Janeiro state Governor Claudio Castro after a police operation left at least 121 people dead, including four officers.

The raid, targeting the Red Command gang in the Penha and Alemao favelas, involved 2,500 police and soldiers supported by helicopters and armored vehicles. Authorities initially reported 64 deaths, but residents later discovered dozens more bodies in nearby woods, some showing signs of brutal killings.

Outraged residents, activists, and victims’ families gathered where the bodies had been laid out earlier in the week, accusing Governor Castro of leading a massacre. “Assassinating young people in favelas isn’t public policy—it’s a massacre,” said councilwoman Monica Benicio. Protesters held signs reading, “120 lives lost is not a success” and “Castro has blood on his hands.”

Castro defended the raid as a “successful” operation against “narco-terrorists,” claiming most of the dead were criminals with prior records. However, human rights groups and the United Nations condemned the raid and called for a transparent investigation.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has summoned Castro and police chiefs to explain the operation on November 3, as national outrage grows over what has become the deadliest police action in Rio’s history.