Brazil's Camilo Santana pushes terrorist label for gangs, clashing with Lula

Former education minister Camilo Santana said he supports classifying the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and the Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist organizations, a position that diverges from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who argues the groups do not meet the United States' definition of terrorism and frames the issue as a matter of national sovereignty.

Santana said the designation would enable stronger international cooperation, especially with the United States, and urged Congress to vote on the public‑security constitutional amendment. The proposal is backed by right‑wing figures such as Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, while Lula has condemned the U.S. move and emphasized Brazil’s independent security policy.