Buses and vehicles torched by Brazilian gangs in retaliation for killing of paramilitary leader

Paramilitary gangsters in Brazil have launched an unprecedented assault on Rio de Janeiro’s public transport system, torching dozens of vehicles in what the politician called “terrorist acts”.

Criminals reportedly set fire to at least 35 buses and coaches, four lorries and a train on Monday 23 October, in what has been described as one of the biggest criminal attacks in Rio’s history.

The attacks were reportedly a retaliation for the killing of a senior paramilitary leader, Matheus da Silva Rezende, by police special forces.

Rio’s state governor, Claudio Castro, has vowed to strike back against organised crime in the aftermath of the assault.