Police raids targeting drug gangs in Brazil result in 43 deaths

The most recent operation occurred in Rio de Janeiro's Complexo da Penha area, where at least 10 suspects were killed in a shootout, with the police claiming they returned fire.

Earlier, in São Paulo state, a five-day police raid named "Operation Shield" resulted in 14 fatalities during clashes. In the state of Bahia, in the north-eastern region, 19 suspects were killed since Friday, according to officials.

During the operation in São Paulo state, which was initiated after the death of a special forces police officer in Guarujá, 58 people were arrested. Notably, the police confiscated 385 kilograms of narcotics and various firearms during this operation.

Brazil's Justice Minister Flavio Dino criticized the police's actions in the Guarujá operation, stating that the response was disproportionate to the alleged crime committed. Regrettably, two police officers were among the 14 individuals who lost their lives during the clashes. (ILKHA)