A police operation targeting drug trafficking left about 200 tourists trapped during a shootout in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. The incident took place in the Vidigal favela, a popular area known for its panoramic sunrise views.
The operation triggered intense gunfire between security forces and suspects linked to Comando Vermelho, one of Brazil’s most powerful criminal groups. Television footage showed tourists stranded at the top of the steep Morro Dois Irmãos while clashes unfolded below.
All of them later descended the hill without injuries, a source from Rio’s Civil Police said. Authorities confirmed two arrests at the end of the operation.
Many of those caught in the incident were foreign visitors who had gathered early to watch the sunrise. According to witnesses, the situation escalated suddenly, forcing guides to act quickly to keep groups safe.
Portuguese tourist Matilda Oliveira said the group reacted as soon as gunfire began. “We suddenly started hearing shots and the guides told us to sit down,” said Oliveira. “It is always something that scares you, but it was controlled as much as possible. We passed by the police on the way and everything was under control.”
Oliveira was travelling with her sister, Rita Oliveira, who said the group initially felt anxious when they realised the operation targeted drug trafficking suspects. She said they calmed down as the situation stabilised and police secured the area.
During the operation, suspects also blocked a major road connecting the Leblon and São Conrado neighbourhoods, two of Rio’s most visited districts. Authorities said criminals used a bus and containers to obstruct traffic, increasing disruption in the area.
The police action formed part of a broader effort to locate a group of prisoners who escaped from a jail in the northeastern state of Bahia in late 2024. Officers from Bahia supported the Rio operation, which relied on intelligence gathered beforehand.
Rio’s Civil Police defended the operation, saying it was based on intelligence work and not intended to provoke confrontation. The force said armed criminals were responsible for escalating violence and putting both residents and visitors at risk.
“Those who impose risk are armed criminals, who attack state agents and deliberately expose the population and visitors,” the Civil Police said in a statement. “The Civil Police will continue to act firmly to identify, hold accountable and remove these individuals from circulation.”
The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in Rio de Janeiro, where police operations in favelas can intersect with tourism in nearby areas such as Vidigal, which has become a popular destination for guided hikes and viewpoints overlooking the city’s coastline. Authorities said traffic resumed on blocked routes and tourists left safely under police supervision after the operation ended.
Photo Credit: Donatas Dabravolskas / Shutterstock.com
