A police operation on Thursday morning caused an intermittent blockade on Avenida Brasil, near Cidade Alta, the northern district of Rio. Gunfire was heard early in the morning, and military police teams are still in the area. Videos circulating on the networks and photos from the City Council Operations Center (COR) show burning barricades within the community and parts of the highway almost empty. The thick plume of smoke could be observed from different parts of the city.
The operation is being carried out by police officers from the 16th BPM Battalion, in integrated action with the Special Operations Command (COE), and is taking place in the communities of Cidade Alta, Pica-Bau, Kelsons, Quitongo, Tinta, Dorados, Dique, Forquem Mendes and Guapuri, all in the northern region of Rio.
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The advance of the fire and the confrontation affected transportation movement. At the SuperVia branch in Saracuruna, trains are only running between Central do Brasil x Penha and Duque de Caxias x Saracuruna stations, due to a shooting near Cordovel station. The stretch runs at an interval of about 20 minutes.
On BRT, according to Mobi-Rio, lines 60 (Deodoro x Gentileza – parador), 61 (Deodoro x Gentileza – Express) and 71 (Vigário Geral x Gentileza – Express) were temporarily interrupted due to the PM ban in the vicinity of the Mercado São Sebastião and Vigário Geral stations. Trading resumed around 5:50 a.m.
Also at this time, Avenida Brasil reopened in both directions. However, one of the central and side lanes remains closed, according to CET-Rio information. Teams of the Chief Minister and traffic agents remain at the site to monitor the situation.
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According to the Military Police, both directions of Avenida Brasil receive enhanced security measures from the Highway Police Battalion, with teams working intensively in Cidade Alta and Pica-Pau.
Remember: frequent clashes in Cidade Alta
In January this year, a large-scale operation involving about 400 police officers and ten armored vehicles mobilized several communities in the northern region and Duque de Caxias, including Cidade Alta, Parada de Lucas, Figario Geral and Guapuri. The action – part of the offensive against the faction controlling the Israeli complex – led to the preventive closure of Avenida Brasil and Linha Vermelha streets, following protocols adopted after attacks on drivers in 2024.
Lieutenant Marcos José Oliveira de Amorim, of the 41st BPM, was shot in Forquim Mendez and died after being rescued. During the operation, rifles, grenades, communication devices and drugs were seized, in addition to the arrest of nine suspects.
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In June, a dawn clash again paralyzed highway traffic. Intense gunfire in Complexo de Israel led to the closure of Avenida Brasil and Linha Vermelha streets again, sparking scenes of panic among drivers and passengers. The bullets hit the roof of a motorcycle taxi stand and the window of a car trying to take cover at a gas station.
Passengers threw themselves on the ground, drivers abandoned their cars, and residents recorded a rush near the Pinha roundabout. Although no one was seriously injured, reports of desperation highlighted how frequent incidents of this kind are for those living in or traveling around Cidade Alta and surrounding areas.