The decision by the United States Department of State to designate the criminal organizations Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as terrorist organizations, announced following a meeting between presidential pre-candidate Flávio Bolsonaro and U.S. President Donald Trump, raises concerns about the political interests that may be associated with the measure. In light of this measure, Pacto pela Democracia reaffirms its uncompromising defense of national sovereignty, especially in a decisive year for the future of democracy in Brazil.
Presented under the guise of combating organized crime, the classification of these organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), under U.S. legislation and effective as of June 5, may be used to justify sanctions, expand mechanisms of diplomatic pressure, and open the door to forms of interference in Brazilian internal affairs, including electoral matters.
Combating organized crime requires legitimate international cooperation, built on respect for national institutions and aimed at strengthening the capacities of the Brazilian State — not unilateral initiatives that weaken national autonomy or expand possibilities for external political interference.
Public security experts have already questioned the effectiveness of the measure and warned of its potential impacts on the country’s sovereignty, a foundational principle of the Federative Republic of Brazil and a structural principle of its international conduct. In addition, the measure may significantly affect the Brazilian banking and financial sectors by increasing the possibility of arbitrary U.S. sanctions against Brazilian banks, companies, and institutions, including on the basis of indirect ties. More seriously still, its adoption tends to directly deepen the criminalization of families, residents, movements, and/or civil society organizations that work with already vulnerable communities, as the U.S. experience itself demonstrates.
The decision is also related to the country’s right to conduct its democratic processes free from external pressure or attempts to influence its political direction. In an electoral year, the rhetoric of combating organized crime cannot serve as justification for actions that threaten the autonomy of the Brazilian State, relativize fundamental rights, or establish precedents for interference in matters that fall exclusively under the country’s responsibility.
In a context marked by the advance of authoritarianism and the political instrumentalization of institutional violence and mechanisms of economic, diplomatic, and institutional pressure, it is essential to reaffirm that no political project, domestic or foreign, can override the rule of law and the democratic construction of free and sovereign institutions agreed upon by all Brazilians since October 5, 1988.
Pacto pela Democracia will remain vigilant in defending democratic institutions, national sovereignty, and the construction of a country free from authoritarianism, external threats, and attempts at political intimidation.
SIGNATORY ORGANIZATIONS:
- Aláfia Lab
- Aliança Brazil Office
- Aliança Nacional LGBTI+
- Bonde
- BrCidades
- Centro de Convivência É de lei
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- Delibera Brasil
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- Frente Ampla Democrática pelos Direitos Humanos - FADDH
- Frente de Evangélicos pelo Estado de Direito
- Instituto Alziras
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- Instituto de Defesa do Direito de Defesa - IDDD
- Instituto de Estudos Socioeconômicos - INESC
- Instituto Foz
- Instituto Lamparina
- Instituto Marielle Franco - IMF
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- Instituto Terra, Trabalho e Cidadania - ITTC
- Kurytiba Metropole
- Movimento Negro Evangélico do Brasil
- Nonada Jornalismo
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- ponteAponte
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- Sleeping Giants Brasil
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- 4Daddy