2 arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in Brazil
Share this @internewscast.com

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Police in Brazil reported on Sunday that two individuals have been apprehended in relation to a suspected scheme to detonate explosives at a complimentary Lady Gaga concert in Rio de Janeiro.

The event in Rio, which occurred on Saturday, represented the largest performance of the pop star’s career, drawing more than 2 million fans to Copacabana Beach and inspiring the crowd to scream and dance along.

Despite Brazilian authorities arresting suspects just hours before Lady Gaga’s performance, the event proceeded without any disturbances — prompting some to question the gravity of the threat. Typically, significant security concerns result in the cancellation of such massive events, as was the case with Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna last year.

Police said said nothing about the alleged plot at the time to in an effort to “avoid panic” and “the distortion of information.”

On Sunday, a spokesperson for Lady Gaga said the pop star and her team “learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning. Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks.”

The statement added: “Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.”

Security was tight at Saturday’s concert, with 5,200 military and police officers deployed to the beach where fans were reveling in the pop singer’s classic hits like “Born This Way,” which became something of an LGBTQ anthem after its 2011 release.

Rio de Janeiro’s state police and Brazil’s Justice Ministry presented the bare outlines of a plot that they said involved a group that promoted hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community, among others, and had planned to detonate homemade explosive devices at the event.

“The plan was treated as a ‘collective challenge’ with the aim of gaining notoriety on social media,” the police said. The group, it added, disseminated violent content to teenagers online as “a form of belonging.”

Homes in several states raided

Authorities arrested two people in connection with the alleged plot — a man described as the group’s leader in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on illegal weapons possession charges, and a teenager in Rio on child pornography charges. Police did not elaborate on their exact roles in the plot or on how the group came to target Lady Gaga’s free concert.

“Those involved were recruiting participants, including teenagers, to carry out integrated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails,” police said.

The Justice Ministry said that it determined the group posed a “risk to public order.” It said the group falsely presented themselves online as “Little Monsters” — Lady Gaga’s nickname for her fans — in order to reach teenagers and lure them into “networks with violent and self-destructive content.”

The ministry said there was no impact on those attending the open-air concert.

During a series of raids on the homes of 15 suspects across several Brazilian states, authorities confiscated phones and other electronic devices. Although police said they believed homemade bombs were intended for use in the planned attack, there was no mention of the raids turning up any weapons or explosive material.

‘Historical moment’

Lady Gaga has expressed gratitude for the enormous crowd in an Instagram post that said nothing of the alleged plot.

“Nothing could prepare me for the feeling I had during last night’s show—the absolute pride and joy I felt singing for the people of Brazil,” she wrote. “The sight of the crowd during my opening songs took my breath away. Your heart shines so bright, your culture is so vibrant and special, I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you.”

Her free beach concert stood out at a time of surging ticket prices for live music around the world as concert-goers pay budget-busting costs to see their favorite artists.

Rio has done this before — last May, superstar Madonna performed the finale to her latest world tower for some 1.6 million fans on the sprawling sands of Copacabana Beach.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Ruud Triumphs Over Draper in Madrid Open Final for Maiden Masters 1000 Victory

MADRID – Casper Ruud achieved a historic milestone as the first Norwegian…

Father Faces Charges in Deputy’s Death Following Son’s Fatal Police Encounter

(AP) A man who struck and killed a county deputy with his…

A Hidden Netflix Trick Can Help You Discover Shows and Movies You’ll Love

Some individuals are big fans of action-packed movies, while others thrive on…

Federal Authorities Connect San Elizario Woman to Several Migrant Smuggling Incidents

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – A federal grand jury has leveled…

Softball Scores and Highlights: College and High School Recap (May 3, 2025)

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Saturday was packed with significant matchups in college…

Revving Up the Ballot: Heading Back to Vegas Amidst a Slowdown in Tourism

() senior national correspondent Brian Entin’s “Driving the Vote” series taking the…

California Man’s Death Linked to Overdose of Elephant Tranquilizer, Says Medical Examiner

(KRON) — A first carfentanil overdose death ever recorded in Santa Clara…

An Invasive Orange Lizard is Rapidly Spreading Across Florida – Here’s Where It’s Showing Up

Many residents of Florida may have noticed lizards with orange heads and…

Trump Open to Further Extending Pause on TikTok Ban

President Trump said in an interview that aired Sunday that he will…

Protesters Pressure Morocco to Cut Ties with Israel by Targeting Key Ports

TANGIER – Over the past year, a wave of protests has arisen…

11 People Hurt in Shooting Incident at Bustling Myrtle Beach Tourist Spot

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – A shooting incident on Saturday night injured…

Ex-Vice President Pence to be Honored with Profile in Courage Award for January 6 Actions

BOSTON – On Sunday, former Vice President Mike Pence is set to…