Brazil reassures COP30 visitors of safe event after deadly police raid
Brazilian officials have moved to reassure international delegates ahead of next week’s climate-related events across Rio de Janeiro and other cities, following a police operation in Rio that left at least 132 people dead, the deadliest such raid in the country’s history.
Authorities say the violence, which erupted during a crackdown on a drug gang in the city’s favelas, will not threaten activities linked to the COP30 climate summit. The clashes sparked outrage after images circulated showing bodies lined along streets.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who is expected to attend the summit next month, urged a prompt investigation and stressed the need for any law-enforcement action to adhere to international human rights standards.
“The secretary-general is gravely concerned by the large number of casualties,” U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said, calling for accountability.
Rio’s mayor and state governor insisted the violence was unrelated to the upcoming climate events, which will take place in Rio, São Paulo and Belém, the Amazon city set to host COP30 in November. Brazilian police also conducted a security drill in Belém on Tuesday.
João Paulo de Resende, undersecretary for economic and fiscal affairs at Brazil's finance ministry, told Reuters the incident would not affect summit security.
“It’s a very localised thing; it has nothing to do with the climate agenda or the COP itself,” he said. “It’s very unusual, even by Brazilian standards… not something you're probably going to see repeating itself.”
The U.S. consulate issued a warning for specific Rio neighbourhoods, citing ongoing confrontations between police and armed groups.
Despite the concerns, delegates and business leaders remain committed to attending. Andrew Wilson, deputy secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, said preparations are continuing as planned.
“From our side, nothing has changed… We know it’s going to be logistically challenging, but certainly nothing has changed in the last 24 hours,” Wilson told Reuters.
Events next week include a climate forum for municipal leaders in Rio and Prince William’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, while São Paulo will host climate finance discussions, and world leaders gather in Belém ahead of COP30 negotiations.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
