Brazilian authorities have faced allegations of decapitating a teenage gang member as part of a violent crackdown leading up to the COP30 summit and the visit of Prince William. Following a deadly raid in the favela, police were accused of displaying the gangster’s head on a tree, triggering retaliatory attacks from gangs using drones.
Officials have reported 119 casualties, with 115 suspected to be gang members and the remaining four identified as police officers. Residents of Complexo da Penha favela have accused the police of committing atrocities during the Rio de Janeiro operation.
A mother, Raquel Tomas, claimed that her son was brutally killed by the police, stating that he was beheaded and his head exhibited as a trophy. She emphasized the need for suspects to be apprehended rather than executed during police operations.
The controversial crackdown was initiated before Brazil’s hosting of the COP30 summit and the arrival of Prince William. A police representative defended the actions, citing the violence directed at law enforcement officers.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stressed the importance of combating criminal activities that endanger civilians, expressing the need for collective efforts to combat drug trafficking while safeguarding innocent lives. As Prince William prepares to visit Brazil, concerns are raised about potential violence during his stay, following recent escalated clashes.
Reports indicate a surge in security forces deployment in response to heightened intergang clashes, with fears of renewed violence coinciding with the presence of Prince William in Rio de Janeiro.
