The United States has extended its condolences to Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state following a deadly police raid that left more than 100 people dead, including four police officers. The operation, which targeted members of the notorious Comando Vermelho gang, has sparked national and international controversy.
A letter dated November 4 from James Sparks, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) official at the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro, conveyed sympathy for the officers who lost their lives. The message, addressed to Rio’s Secretary for Public Security Victor dos Santos, praised the “tireless work” of Brazil’s security forces and offered U.S. support if needed. However, it made no mention of the other individuals killed during the raid.
Rio’s conservative Governor Claudio Castro defended the operation, calling it a success and labeling those killed as criminals. He stated that the “only real victims” were the slain officers. Meanwhile, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the raid as “disastrous,” aligning with United Nations officials who demanded a thorough investigation into the high death toll.
The clash over the raid has deepened Brazil’s political divide. Conservative lawmakers are now pushing to classify Comando Vermelho as a terrorist organization—a move previously rejected by Brazil’s government after a request from the Trump administration.
In an official statement, Rio’s government emphasized that its collaboration with U.S. agencies focuses solely on sharing intelligence to combat drug trafficking, denying any foreign involvement in domestic operations. The U.S. Consulate General reiterated its condolences and highlighted the long-standing cooperation between the two nations on public safety and law enforcement issues, describing the partnership as mutually beneficial.