An intense shootout frightened residents of Muzema, in the West Zone of Rio, on Monday morning (21/10), due to an attempted invasion by militiamen into the community, currently controlled by the Red Command. As a result, more than 190 buses from seven lines stopped operating in the regions of Muzema, Tijuquinha and Rio das Pedras. Between Sunday night (20/10) and Monday morning, bandits cut four buses through the streets of Muzema to prevent the police and militiamen from arriving.
Security cameras recorded the moment when around 30 armed men, most of them with their faces covered, went up a street in the community on Saturday morning (19). According to witnesses, they were militiamen trying to regain control of the favela, currently under the control of the Red Command.
Bus Hijacking
On Thursday (17/10), five buses were hijacked and used as barricades to block roads in Rio de Janeiro during police operations in the northern and western zones of the city. This incident occurred just one day after another nine buses were hijacked in the Muzema and Tijuquinha areas, in the west zone, during an operation by the Special Police Operations Battalion (Bope) on Wednesday (16/10). Fortunately, there were no injuries in either incident.
Thursday’s Incidents
On Thursday, criminals hijacked two buses from line 778 (Pavuna/Cascadura) to block roads in the Costa Barros neighborhood, in the northern zone of Rio. In the west zone, in the Muzema area, three more buses from lines 878 (Barra da Tijuca/Tanque) and 863 (Rio das Pedras/Barra da Tijuca) were intercepted and used to obstruct traffic. A fifth bus was used as a barricade in Pavuna, also in the northern zone. According to bus line operators, the criminals forced the drivers to park the buses across the roads and removed the keys and batteries, making it difficult to remove the blockade.
Wednesday’s Incidents
On Wednesday, Bope was in Muzema aiming to prevent a clash between militiamen and members of the Red Command, who are fighting for control of the favelas in the area. During the operation, a confrontation broke out, resulting in a police officer being injured. Nine buses were hijacked and used as barricades on roads in Itanhangá, in Rio’s western zone, for about two hours. The criminals fled with the vehicles’ keys, forcing passengers to disembark. The buses were left empty, blocking traffic and exacerbating chaos in the area, which is marked by territorial disputes between militias and drug traffickers.
Damage and Impact
The bus operators’ union, Rio Ônibus, reported that 101 buses have been hijacked and used as barricades by criminals so far this year. Additionally, eight buses were set on fire, and about 1,750 were vandalized, resulting in total damages of R$ 22.6 million. The northern and western zones of Rio de Janeiro are the most affected by these incidents.
History of Attacks
This week’s incidents are reminiscent of a coordinated attack that took place a year ago when at least 35 buses and a train were set on fire in a single day. The attacks were in retaliation for the death of Matheus da Silva Rezende, known as “Faustão,” one of the leaders of the state’s largest militia. These attacks underscore the level of influence and violence exerted by militias in Rio de Janeiro, particularly in areas vulnerable to territorial disputes.
Source: O Globo [1] [2] [3] [4], G1 [1] [2] [3], Folha de São Paulo.
