US EditionUS sold sniper rifles to Brazil police unit tied to raid that killed 121 people
The police raid targeted the Red Command gang, killing 115 civilians and 4 officers, with 62% of Rio residents supporting the operation, a poll showed.
- On October 28, police mounted a large operation in the Alemão and Penha favelas in Rio de Janeiro targeting the Commando Vermelho, leaving at least 115 civilians and four police officers dead.
- The Red Command began in Brazil's prisons in the 1970s, forming inmate alliances and expanding across Brazil and neighbouring countries while diversifying into the cocaine economy over recent years.
- Reuters reported U.S. approval of sniper-rifle sales to BOPE last year, overriding objections from Elizabeth Bagley and other diplomats, after BOPE purchased 20 sniper rifles in May 2023 for roughly $150,000.
- The raid drew international attention at the Cop30 climate summit in Belem, with polls two days later showing 62% of Rio residents and 88% in favelas supporting it.
- BOPE remains popular with many Rio residents fed up with violent crime, while human rights organisations and United Nations experts protested alleged extrajudicial killings linked to 703 police deaths last year.
18 Articles
18 Articles
US sold sniper rifles to Brazil police unit tied to deadly raid
The U.S. government approved a sale of sniper rifles to a deadly police unit in Brazil last year, overriding concerns from the U.S. ambassador and other diplomats that the arms could be used in extrajudicial killings, according to three current and former U.S. officials and documents seen by Reuters.
US Sold Sniper Rifles To Brazil Police Unit Linked To Deadly Rio Raids
The US government approved a sale of sniper rifles to a deadly police unit in Brazil last year, overriding concerns from the US ambassador and other diplomats that the arms could be used in extrajudicial killings.
Exclusive: US sold sniper rifles to Brazil police unit tied to deadly raid
The U.S. government approved a sale of sniper rifles to a deadly police unit in Brazil last year, overriding concerns from the U.S. ambassador and other diplomats that the arms could be used in...
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