Rio de Janeiro legislature moves to label criminal factions as terrorists

The Constitution and Justice Commission of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) has approved a bill that seeks to classify the Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as terrorist organizations within the state.

The proposal, authored by members of the Liberal Party (PL), must now face a vote in the plenary before being sent to the governor for sanction or veto. Proponents argue that states have the authority to legislate on the matter as long as it does not conflict with federal law.

However, legal experts and researchers suggest the bill may face challenges in the Supreme Federal Court (STF). Critics argue that the power to legislate on criminal law belongs exclusively to the federal government under the Brazilian Constitution, and that existing federal anti-terrorism laws already define the criteria for such a designation. Some analysts also suggest the move may be driven by political interests rather than legal efficacy.