Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strongly criticized the United States’ decision to designate two major Brazilian criminal organizations as terrorist groups. Lula described the move as “an unacceptable interference in the country’s internal affairs.”
“We will not be treated like children, nor will we be treated like a banana republic,” Lula said during a public event on Friday. “There is a Marco Rubio who says our criminals are terrorists and claims that Americans can intervene.”
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision to designate Brazil’s Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as terrorist organizations. The decision came after lobbying efforts in Washington by the sons of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The Brazilian government has viewed the move as a threat to national sovereignty. Legal experts have also warned that the decision could trigger a chain of negative consequences for companies operating in Brazil.
Effective June 5
Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) will officially be added to the U.S. list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) starting on June 5, 2026.