Eight months ago, images of a street in Complexo da Penha, in Rio de Janeiro, impacted the world: dozens of bodies were lined up on the asphalt, under the eyes of community residents. It was the result of the most lethal police action in the state's history, Operation Containment, which left 121 people dead. Today, part of the street, called Estrada José Rucas, around Praça São Lucas, in Vila Cruzeiro, received new colors and designs. Artists joined people from the community to decorate the space with themes linked to the Brazilian team and the 2026 World Cup. >> Follow the Agência Brasil channel on WhatsApp Painting brings a feeling of fresh start, says Luan Medeiros, one of the artists in charge of decoration at Vila Cruzeiro - Photo: Cadu Maia/Disclosure Related news: Nine out of ten community residents disapprove of violent operations. IACHR condemns police operation that left more than 120 people dead in Rio. One of the project leaders, Luan Medeiros highlights the importance of art in trying to transform the space and the lives of residents. "We wanted to bring a new reality to our street. The resident of Penha has already gone through very difficult times, and seeing these colors brings a feeling of new beginning, showing that our community also has the right to celebrate and be proud of their own art", says the artist. Luan, who has a strong relationship with the community where he lives, remembers that the atmosphere there was despondent after the events of last year. "The area had become very sad, with that memory always latent in everyone's mind. We know that there is no way to erase the memory of what happened here, but the painting helps to alleviate that feeling. It is also a way of showing that 99% of the people in the community are workers, they are good people", he adds. Children help paint themes linked to the Brazilian team and the World Cup - Photo: Cadu Maia/Disclosure Hugo Silvério, who also participated in the project, highlights the value of community identity when choosing visual references for the painting. "Our main objective was to give new meaning to this physical space through urban art. We chose elements that connect our faith, represented by the Penha Church, football and the pride of being Brazilian. It is a way of valuing the talent that exists within the favela itself", explains the artist. Hugo, who lives in Nova Iguaçu, Baixada Fluminense, highlights that the impact of the 2025 police operation mobilized the entire state, going beyond the geographical limits of the community. Rio de Janeiro, 10/29/2025 - Brought by residents, dozens of bodies of those killed in Operation Containment were taken to Praça São Lucas, in Penha, north of Rio de Janeiro - Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil "It was something that involved and affected the entire state of Rio de Janeiro. During the work, a mother passed by us and commented that before she couldn't even look at this street and not imagine her son's body lying on the ground. And, today, she can give new meaning to that feeling and see new colors", says the artist. "The involvement of the children who participated in painting with us was also very special. The project will not erase what happened, but it transforms our relationship with space and brings a little more hope", he concludes.