Lula criticizes Trump and Rubio after US classifies PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations

• President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva harshly attacked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the American government included the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho on the official list of foreign terrorist organizations. In a public statement, Lula questioned the motivation behind the measure and accused Washington of "interference" and of trying to "criminalize social movements". The Brazilian president stated that the decision is “a provocation” and that the US “has no moral authority” to judge criminal groups in Brazil. The American designation allows for financial sanctions, asset freezes, and greater international cooperation in combating the two factions, responsible for a large part of drug trafficking, murders, and urban violence in the country.

• Lula's reaction generated strong repercussions. The opposition, especially the PL and Novo parties, accused the president of protecting or minimizing organized crime. “While the world recognizes the PCC and CV as terrorists, Lula defends them. This explains a lot,” said Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. Public security experts see the American measure as a necessary hardening in the face of the internationalization of these factions, which already operate in several countries in Latin America and Europe. Inclusion on the terrorist list facilitates actions such as the freezing of bank accounts and faster extradition.

• To date, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty) has not issued a coordinated official response, but diplomatic sources indicate discomfort with Washington's decision, which could complicate bilateral relations. The case reinforces the polarization in Brazil on how to deal with organized crime: while the Lula government prioritizes social approaches and criticism of "mass incarceration," the opposition and conservative sectors advocate for greater rigor and international cooperation.

Brazil’s far-left president Lula da Silva lashes out against Trump and Rubio after finding out that the U.S. is terror-listing the communist narco-terrorist groups Comando Vermelho and PCC.

Why is he so protective of them? pic.twitter.com/ZkKrFa8xor — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 29, 2026