Lula to U.S.: 'We Won't Accept Being Treated Like Children'

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a strong rebuke to the United States, stating that Brazil will not accept being treated "like children" or a "little republic." His remarks came after the U.S. government designated two major Brazilian criminal factions, Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), as terrorist organizations.

Speaking at the inauguration of a fertilizer plant in northeastern Brazil, Lula also criticized his election rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, for allegedly betraying the country by seeking U.S. intervention. While acknowledging that CV and PCC are indeed terrorists to those in urban peripheries, Lula emphasized that Brazil is capable of combating these groups using its own laws and security forces.

Lula challenged the U.S., particularly President Donald Trump, suggesting that if the U.S. truly wants to help Brazil, it should start by extraditing Brazilian gang leaders residing in Miami. The Brazilian government subsequently released an official statement, asserting that it rejects arbitrary foreign measures that infringe upon its sovereignty and economy. The statement cautioned that such unilateral actions could weaken the fight against criminal organizations and endanger innocent lives by hindering information exchange between police forces.

The Brazilian government also expressed concern that the U.S. designation could negatively impact Brazil's financial system and its PIX payment system, which Washington has criticized for reducing the market share of multinational credit card companies. The statement concluded by reaffirming that national sovereignty is non-negotiable and Brazil rejects any external interference in its internal affairs.