Brazilian police launched their most lethal operation ever in Rio de Janeiro, leaving at least 64 dead as authorities squared off against a major gang in the global tourist destination just ahead of next week’s climate summit.

Pre-dawn raids targeted leaders of the notorious Comando Vermelho, or Red Command, according to a statement from Rio’s state government. The gang is one of Brazil’s largest criminal groups with operations spread across many of city’s hillside favelas.

Shootouts with heavily-armed police extended late into afternoon across densely-packed streets, as some gang members responded by erecting make-shift barricades with cars set ablaze. Police could be seen rounding up shirtless young men prior to arresting over 80 of them.

Over the course of the day, some 2,500 police

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