Brazil's Derrite Dismisses U.S. Military Intervention Fears, Focuses on Senate Race

Federal Deputy Guilherme Derrite has dismissed concerns about potential U.S. military operations in Brazil, even after the U.S. designated the powerful criminal factions PCC and CV as terrorist groups. Derrite, a former military police captain, asserted that such a scenario is purely speculative and attributed the apprehension to a "different worldview" held by the left regarding public security.

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The left has difficulty with this topic [of public security] because it has a different worldview.

Currently a pre-candidate for the Senate representing São Paulo, Derrite is aligned with Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, for whom he served as Secretary of Public Security from 2023 to 2025. His tenure was marked by controversies, including incidents of police violence and corruption allegations involving officers linked to the PCC. Derrite himself has faced scrutiny for past remarks, including a leaked audio where he reportedly stated it was "shameful" for a police officer not to kill three criminals in five years, a comment he later regretted.

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I am loyal to Tarcísio, to Flávio Bolsonaro and to the right, and in a majoritarian election you will never be able to please everyone.

Derrite's political aspirations place him in a competitive race for the Senate in São Paulo. Datafolha polls show him with 10% of voter intentions, technically tied with fellow right-wing candidates André do Prado (11%) and Ricardo Salles (13%). He trails Marina Silva (18%) and Simone Tebet (16%). Despite potential alliances with Salles and Prado, Derrite affirmed his loyalty to Governor Tarcísio, who has endorsed the ticket of André do Prado and Derrite. He acknowledged the complexity of right-wing unity in majoritarian elections but stressed his commitment to the team strategy led by Tarcísio.

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But I am a team player and our leader here in São Paulo is Tarcísio, who has already said: the ticket is André and Derrite. It's the team that is closed and for which I will work to win.

Addressing rumors of a rift with Governor Tarcísio, Derrite denied any friction, attributing the speculation to his return to his federal mandate in December following the passage of the Anti-Faction Law, for which he was the rapporteur. He explained that Tarcísio continued his gubernatorial duties, leading to a temporary absence from state-level activities, but insisted their relationship remained amicable. Derrite also touched upon internal right-wing dynamics, suggesting that public disputes within the Bolsonaro family could weaken the movement, though he refrained from elaborating further.

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I have never had friction with Tarcísio, he is a very easy person to deal with.