# Rio de Janeiro police operation and protests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rio-de-janeiro-police-operation-and-protests
> Updated: 2026-08-12T16:21:23.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 2.

In the Mangueira region of Rio de Janeiro, protests and road closures occurred on August 12 following a police operation in the Favela do Metrô area. Demonstrators used burning tires and trash containers to block Avenida Rei Pelé and Avenida São Francisco Xavier, disrupting at least 19 bus lines and prompting the State University of Rio de Janeiro (Uerj) to advise students and staff to avoid the Maracanã campus.

The Civil Police's Robbery and Theft Station reported that officers encountered gunfire from drug traffickers during an operation at a scrap yard. While police stated they did not return fire, the confrontation led to significant traffic disruptions near the Maracanã Stadium.

This unrest follows a surge in violence across the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. Data from the Instituto Fogo Cruzado indicates that July 2026 saw 34 shootouts due to conflicts between criminal factions and militias, doubling the 16 shootings recorded in June. Of the 196 total shootouts that month, 92—or 47%—were linked to police operations, resulting in 85 people being shot, including 32 deaths and 53 injuries.

In response, the Rio de Janeiro Military Police launched large-scale operations involving at least 27 battalions across the city and surrounding municipalities, including São Gonçalo, Duque de Caxias, and the Baixada Fluminense. These efforts aim to contain the expansion of the Comando Vermelho gang. Related operations in Maracaju, conducted by the Ministry of Justice and local police, resulted in the arrest of five Comando Vermelho members and the death of a gang leader.

## Claims

- The Rio de Janeiro Military Police launched operations involving at least 27 battalions to combat the Comando Vermelho gang. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- The Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area recorded at least 34 shootings due to conflicts between criminal factions and militias in July. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The July shooting count is the highest of 2026 and represents a doubling of the 16 shootings recorded in June. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Of the 196 total shootings in July, 92 (47%) were linked to police operations. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Civil Police agents were fired upon by suspects during an operation at a suspected drug trafficking scrap yard in the Mangueira region. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Protests following a police operation in Mangueira resulted in 19 bus lines being altered or interrupted. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- UERJ advised students and staff to avoid the Maracanã campus due to violent protests and road blockades. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A police operation in Maracaju led to the arrest of five Comando Vermelho members and the death of a gang leader. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Rio de Janeiro crime surge: Faction conflicts and police operations

Rio de Janeiro saw a spike in July violence with 34 faction-related shootings. Major police operations against Comando Vermelho resulted in 13 arrests and 4 deaths, while protests in Mangueira disrupted transit

29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-protests-block-major-avenues-after-police-operation

### 2026-08-03: Rio de Janeiro water shortage protest blocks Yellow Line, snarls traffic

Rio residents protest water shortages by blocking the Yellow Line, causing citywide traffic delays; police monitor the peaceful demonstration.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rio-de-janeiro-water-shortage-protest-blocks-yellow-line-snarls-traffic

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Cite as: Rio de Janeiro police operation and protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rio-de-janeiro-police-operation-and-protests