Trump designates Brazilian mafia groups as terrorists at Bolsonaro sons' request

Flávio Bolsonaro, son of Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, sought and received a significant endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump during a recent White House visit. The meeting, which included his brother Eduardo, aimed to persuade Trump to designate Brazil's two largest criminal organizations, Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), as terrorist groups.

Trump acceded to the request, a decision met with jubilation by Brazil's right-wing supporters. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing President Lula da Silva and a majority of security experts. They argue that organized crime cannot be effectively combatted through military means alone.

These experts also voiced concerns about the potential for the United States to initiate covert operations within Brazil following this designation. The encounter has fueled political tensions in Brazil, with the Bolsonaro family leveraging their connection to Trump in their bid to regain power.

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Trump came to the request, to the cheers of the Brazilian right – and to the annoyance of the left-wing President Lula da Silva and most security experts.