Brazil: 13 killed in clashes with police

In an operation carried out by the Rio de Janeiro police on the outskirts of the city, with the aim of arresting the leader of a drug gang, clashes with civilians caused the death of 13 people, according to the authorities, all were alleged criminals. The city of Sao Gonçalo, precisely the neighborhood of Salgueiro, was the scene of a new advance of violence in Brazil. There, the police sought to arrest Leonardo Costa Araujo, alleged leader of a criminal gang, involved in the murder of police officers in the Pará area during the last time. With a policy marked by the fight against drug trafficking and zero tolerance for crime, the raid organized by the authorities began on Thursday and was supported by helicopters and armored vehicles. In this way, the Police carried out the operation that ended with a bloody confrontation with criminals and 13 deceased who, according to official information, belonged to the drug trafficking gang. In addition, three civilians with no connection to crime were shot and wounded by crossfire. Despite the heavy police presence in Rio de Janeiro, the growth of crime and violence in slums is a problem that increasingly worries authorities.

Original source in Spanish