Brazil's Bar Association Worries U.S. Terror Designations Will Harm Crime Fight

The Public Security Commission of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-SP) has voiced significant apprehension regarding the U.S. government's decision to classify the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (CV) as terrorist organizations. In a statement, the commission acknowledged the challenging landscape of organized crime expansion in Brazil but argued that the U.S. measure could undermine effective strategies against these groups.

The OAB-SP highlighted ongoing cooperative efforts between Brazil and the U.S., such as protocols to curb arms trafficking and joint operations targeting financial crime penetration. The commission cited the recent "Operação Carbono Oculto" as an example of successful institutional collaboration. They believe the U.S. designation risks jeopardizing these ongoing initiatives and could lead to the political and electoral instrumentalization of public security debates.

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a medida anunciada pelo Departamento de Estado dos Estados Unidos revela, para além do risco à continuidade dos trabalhos em curso, um maior risco de instrumentalização política e eleitoral da pauta, prejudicando ainda mais o já combalido campo de debates na área da segurança pública.

Furthermore, the OAB-SP cautioned that labeling Brazilian criminal factions as terrorists could invite foreign interference in domestic matters. This could manifest as direct military intervention or the imposition of economic sanctions, potentially disrupting Brazil's financial system and restricting transactions. The association stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty while pursuing collaborative security measures.

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reacende o alerta para eventual interferência estrangeira em assuntos domésticos, quer por meio de atuação militar direta em solo nacional, ou por meio de imposições de novas sanções econômicas, com o risco de interferência direta no sistema financeiro nacional, bloqueio de ativos e restrições a transações financeiras.