Brazil fears U.S. may use terror label for intervention

Brazil's government is concerned that the United States might use its recent decision to label the country's two largest criminal organizations as terrorist groups as a justification for military intervention. A document sent by the foreign ministry to Congress reveals this apprehension, stating that Washington's unilateral classification could create "concrete risks" to Brazil's sovereignty.

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the classification unilateral adopted by Washington can generate "concrete risks" for the sovereignty of Brazil.

The ministry's text highlights that U.S. legislation allows for broad, unilateral, and extraterritorial administrative and judicial measures against individuals, companies, and organizations designated as terrorist groups. This discretion, the document warns, could have significant implications for Brazilian citizens financially, in terms of immigration, and under criminal law. It even raises the possibility of U.S. military force being used on Brazilian soil.

Brazil considers the designation of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist organizations a potential basis for unilateral actions outside U.S. territory. The Brazilian government maintains that fighting organized crime should be handled through international cooperation that fully respects national sovereignty and international law. Authorities are engaged in ongoing dialogue with Washington to prevent interpretations that could undermine Brazil's jurisdiction over its own territory.

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the possibility of the use of military force of the United States in Brazilian territory.

This concern follows the U.S. Administration's inclusion of PCC and Comando Vermelho on its list of foreign terrorist organizations. While this decision allows for stricter measures against those linked to these groups, Brazil asserts that the move was unilateral and does not alter Brazil's legal framework, where the groups are still treated as organized crime entities, not terrorist organizations.

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the fight against organized crime must be carried out through mechanisms of international cooperation and with full respect for national sovereignty and international law.