Brazilian leaders demand terrorist label for crime gangs after US classification

Mayor Abilio Brunini of Cuiabá called for tougher measures against criminal factions, saying groups such as the PCC and Comando Vermelho operate like terrorist organisations and should be treated as such. Federal deputy José Medeiros accused the ruling PT of siding with organized crime and claimed President Luiz Inácio Lula worked to block U.S. efforts to label the gangs as foreign terrorist entities. Mato Grosso governor Otaviano Pivetta condemned national authorities for lacking courage and seriousness, noting that it took the United States to label the groups as terrorist organizations before Brazil could consider stricter action. Pivetta urged greater state autonomy and revisions to Brazil’s penal code to enable a more robust response to the “parallel state” represented by the gangs.