Rio's Tense Calm Before the Climate Storm

Rio de Janeiro is gearing up to welcome the world for some big climate events. But before the global mayors and celebrities arrive, the city saw a violent clash. Twenty people lost their lives, including two police officers, during a major crackdown on organized crime. This happened just days before Rio hosts the C40 summit and the Earthshot Prize. The operation was huge. It involved 2, 500 security personnel targeting the Alemao and Penha favelas. These are poor, crowded areas on the city's outskirts. The governor called it a fight against narcoterrorism. But critics might wonder if it's just a show of force before the world's eyes. Eighteen of the victims were suspected of ties to drug trafficking. The operation was the largest ever against the Comando Vermelho gang. Authorities served 250 arrest and search warrants, leading to 56 arrests. But does this kind of operation really make a difference? Rio is no stranger to these large-scale police actions. They often happen before major international events. The city has hosted the World Cup, the Olympics, the G20 summit, and the BRICS summit. Each time, there's a push to clean up the streets. But the violence often returns once the spotlight fades. The upcoming events include the C40 summit and the Earthshot Prize. Prince William will be there, along with celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Sebastian Vettel. These events are part of the lead-up to the COP30 climate summit in Belem. But can Rio really present a peaceful face to the world when violence is a daily reality for many?