Police Intervention Deaths Surge by 34.4% in Rio de Janeiro
On August 12, 2025, activists from “The Popular Youth Uprising” held a peaceful protest outside the residence of Rio de Janeiro Governor Claudio Castro, highlighting the alarming rise in police violence in the state, which has seen a stark 34.4% increase in deaths from police interventions this year compared to the last, with fatalities rising from 212 to 285, reports 24brussels.
Coinciding with International Youth Day, protesters condemned the government’s lack of accountability for the deaths of young people and children at the hands of law enforcement. Under the unifying slogan “Black Youth Want to Live,” they insisted that the officers responsible for these tragedies face justice.
Activist Larissa Vulcao condemned what she termed a “project of extermination,” asserting that public security policies disproportionately target youth from impoverished neighborhoods, stripping them of their right to live. Her calls resonated with the community, who feel increasingly alienated by the police forces meant to protect them.
The protest also served to memorialize Herus Guimaraes, a 24-year-old who was killed during a police operation in the Santo Amaro community in June. His father, Fernando Guimaraes, decried the portrayal of favela residents as criminals, asserting that his son was a hardworking individual with a promising future.
Among the participants was Jackeline Oliveira, mother of Kathlen Romeu, and Paula de Oliveira, mother of Jonathan, both victims of police violence themselves. Their presence underscored the pervasive issue that continues to plague Brazilian society, as they shared their painful experiences with the gathered crowd.
Former city council member Monica Cunha did not hold back in her criticism of Governor Castro, suggesting that his administration has failed to address the rampant violence. The “escracho” protest method previously employed by the Popular Youth Uprising against former military officials signifies a broader campaign against impunity and ongoing human rights abuses in Brazil.
Data from the Brazilian Public Security Forum indicates that police lethality has reached alarming proportions, with 6,416 killings attributed to police across the country in 2020 alone. In Rio de Janeiro, figures reported by the Security Observatory Network reveal that 1,245 individuals lost their lives that year due to police-related violence, indicating a systemic problem that continues to demand urgent reform.
