Brazil's Lula slams Washington: 'We won't be treated like children'

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva lashed out at the United States on Friday, condemning Washington's decision to label two major Brazilian criminal organizations, Comando Vermelho and PCC, as global terrorist entities. The move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has been perceived in Brazil as a politically motivated act, potentially linked to electoral battles.

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We do not accept being treated like children, nor as if we were a second-class republic.

Speaking at an official ceremony in Sergipe, Lula declared, "We do not accept being treated like children, nor as if we were a second-class republic." He intensified his rhetoric, warning, "Do not play with the sovereignty of this country. Do not play with our democracy." The designation, set to take effect June 5, targets two gangs originating from Brazil's prison system that have built fortunes through cocaine trafficking.

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Do not play with the sovereignty of this country. Do not play with our democracy.

Rubio stated these groups are among Brazil's most violent, responsible for brutal attacks on officials and civilians, with an influence extending beyond Brazil's borders. However, Brasília views the "terrorist" label as more than symbolic. It could open the door to U.S. military intervention and freeze assets linked to the organizations in the U.S., potentially exposing significant parts of Brazil's financial sector to legal action.

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These groups count among the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil. They have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, officials, and civilians.

Lula argued that the activities of these groups, while violent, should not be conflated with ideologically or religiously motivated acts characteristic of international terrorism. He warned that the designation could undermine Brazilian law enforcement efforts. The president specifically called out Rubio, expressing sadness that an American official would label Brazilian criminals as terrorists and suggest potential U.S. intervention. Lula recalled a meeting with former President Donald Trump, where he presented information on combating organized crime, and suggested Rubio's absence from that meeting was due to assisting Bolsonaro's son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who had publicly confirmed lobbying Trump for the designation.

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I am very sad today because a man named Marco Rubio said that our criminals are terrorists and that Americans can intervene.