Brazil is hosting world leaders at a summit ahead of the COP30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belem, a week after Rio police targeted the Comando Vermelho gang in an operation that killed 121 people, drawing concern from UN experts.
On October 30, two days after the raid, Brazil’s Mines and Energy Ministry was notified by Verene Energia, the company managing the Belem-Marituba energy substation, of a threat made by someone who identified himself as a member of the Comando Vermelho, according to a letter sent to the Justice Ministry.
The individual demanded the immediate suspension of work on the Marituba substation and daily interruption of all operations, the document showed.
“This incident demonstrates an imminent and active risk not only to the safety of personnel and property, but also to the continuity of an essential public service, further aggravated by the proximity of COP30,” Verene Energia told the Mines and Energy Ministry. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
–Reuters–
