On Monday (15), the security forces of the State of Rio de Janeiro occupied 14 communities in six neighborhoods in the West Zone of Rio. Called Ordo — which means order, its objective is to retake territories and curb disputes between drug traffickers and militiamen in the region, which has been occurring for almost two years. According to the State Government, the operation was designed and guided by intelligence information and defined by information on crime cases in these regions. The West Zone of Rio has been the target of intense territorial disputes between drug traffickers and militiamen.
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Communities
Two thousand civil and military police officers operate, for an indefinite period, in Cidade de Deus, Gardênia Azul, Rio das Pedras, Morro do Banco, Fontela, Muzema, Tijuquinha, Sítio do Pai João, Terreirão, César Maia, Covanca, Santa Maria and Bateau Mouche and Jordão. The community of Rio das Pedras is considered the birthplace of the militia in the state. The neighborhoods where the operation takes place are Jacarepaguá, Barra da Tijuca, Recreio, Itanhangá, Vargem Grande, and Vargem Pequena.
Territorial Dispute
In the last two years, the Red Command financed armed gangs and organized dozens of attacks in the region. Only in Jacarepaguá, the faction took over 19 communities in 14 different neighborhoods, which were previously dominated by paramilitaries.
Red Command’s interest in the region is not just in deploying drug selling points. A few years ago, drug trafficking began to replicate the militia model, exploiting the sales of gas and internet packages and even the real estate market.
Gov. Castro Admits Growth in Crime in the Region
Governor Cláudio Castro admitted the increase in the criminal stain in the region. He highlighted that the occupation aims to curb criminal money laundering. According to the Public Security Secretariat, the action will also monitor commerce in these regions.
Leak
On Sunday (14), criminals used social media to warn about Monday’s operation. Suggesting that the operation may have been leaked by some agent involved.
45 Arrests
Since the beginning of the operation, which mobilizes security forces, service concessionaires and state and municipal agencies, 45 arrests have been made. There was also the removal of 22 tons of material used in barricades set up to block streets and seize drugs.
Analysis:
In the vacuum left by the failure of various governments’ public security policies, the Red Command (CV) has expanded across Brazil, controlling drug trafficking routes, harassing residents, and maintaining high violence rates. In Rio, CV’s war to reclaim territories from militias has led to bloody battles, resulting in 238 deaths since January last year, including 26 innocent victims.
The recent security operation in Rio’s West Zone aims to regain control of disputed areas and reduce violence. However, such operations often fail to produce lasting results, as the situation typically reverts once the police leave.
Effective combat against organizations like CV requires coordinated efforts between federal and state forces. Brazil needs a unified national public security policy led by the federal government to address the complexities of organized crime.
