Rio de Janeiro crime groups adopt drones for attacks

Organized crime groups in Rio de Janeiro are increasingly utilizing drones as strategic weapons, marking a significant shift in the dynamics of territorial conflicts. While security forces use drones for intelligence, monitoring, and planning incursions, criminal factions have adopted the technology to monitor police movements, transport weapons, and launch explosive devices.

An internal survey by the Civil Police identified at least 17 attacks involving drones since last year, with 12 occurring in the current year alone. Experts suggest this technological escalation mirrors the introduction of assault rifles to Rio's communities in the 1980s, creating a new paradigm in urban warfare that forces security forces to reassess their strategies, equipment, and training.