Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro backs US terror label for PCC, hints at female vice‑president

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro defended the United States' decision to designate the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and the Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations, calling the move a necessary step against organized crime. He criticized President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, saying “Parece que ele é o chefe do PCC,” and said he plans to choose a woman—potentially deputy Simone Marquetto—to run as his vice‑president in order to attract female voters.

At the same time, Brazil's Federal Police have carried out a series of secret operations that resulted in the arrest of five people linked to the Islamic State and Boko Haram, including suspects in Curitiba, Itaguaí, Bauru and São Paulo. The raids highlight an ongoing domestic threat from religiously motivated extremists, occurring as the government debates the U.S. terrorism classification of domestic criminal gangs.