In a report issued on Wednesday (15/01), bus drivers reported the use of iron clamps by men in the neighborhoods of Sampaio and Engenho Novo, located in the North Zone of Rio. According to the drivers, the purpose of the clamps was to forcefully stop buses, which were then hijacked and used as barricades in the area.
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Two Buses Hijacked
Two buses were hijacked and used as barricades in Engenho Novo, in the North Zone of Rio, early Wednesday afternoon (15/01). Criminals also set fire to objects to block the roads. The police did not provide an explanation for the road closures. Officers were called to clear the lanes and were seen pointing rifles behind a wall. A short time later, the officers had to push the buses manually, as the perpetrators had taken the keys.
8 Hijacked Buses
Protests took place on Marechal Rondon Avenue, between the neighborhoods of Sampaio and Engenho Novo, in the North Zone of Rio. According to Rio Ônibus, four buses were hijacked and used as barricades on Monday (13/01). As of 2025, Rio Ônibus reported that eight buses have been hijacked so far.
Roadblocks on Google Maps
On Beira Rio Street, in Manguinhos, it is classified as a “historical landmark”. On Curuira Street, in Vicente de Carvalho, the label is “cultural landmark”. On Iguaperiba, in Brás de Pina, it is registered as a “tourist attraction”. In all cases, identified in neighborhoods in the North Zone of Rio, the markings, made by internet users on Google Maps, refer to barricades installed on streets in the capital by drug traffickers to hinder police access. A quick search reveals more than 40 crime roadblocks listed by Maps in the Metropolitan Region. This is a digital testament to the size of the areas under the control of the factions. In some places, images from Google Street View also show the blockades. In others, photos of the obstacles were attached to the tool.
Analysis:
These events reveal an alarming escalation in tactics by organized crime or protest groups in Rio de Janeiro. The hijacking of buses for barricades and the use of fires and iron clamps to block roads not only demonstrate the boldness of these actions but also severely disrupt urban mobility and public safety. Such incidents create far-reaching consequences, including paralyzed transportation systems and increased risks for both civilians and law enforcement during interventions.
The lack of clear communication from the police regarding road closures highlights concerns about the efficiency and transparency of public security responses. This situation underscores deeper systemic issues, as Rio de Janeiro’s public security challenges are deeply intertwined with social inequality, weak governance, and the pervasive influence of organized crime.
