Bandits hijacked 14 buses on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro's West Zone. The vehicles were used as barricades and placed across streets at locations in Muzema, Curicica, Gardênia Azul, and Taquara. Social media posts report that shots were fired in the region during the incidents.
The confrontations occurred amid disputes over territory between rival groups. One of the shootouts took place in the area known as Regatas, in Muzema, which is controlled by militia. Another confrontation occurred near the locality called Sertão, close to the border between Rio das Pedras and Muzema, which has areas dominated by traffickers from Comando Vermelho.
In one of the shared images, three buses can be seen blocking a street. The two rival groups, militia and traffickers from Comando Vermelho, have been fighting for control of areas in the region.
