The senator (-RJ) will explore the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) and the CV (Comando Vermelho) as an electoral asset, force a comparison with the president (PT) and try to take the focus away from the public security agenda.
Shortly after the government’s announcement this Thursday (28) to classify criminal factions as terrorists, Flávio treated the measure as a result of his meeting with the American president and, in a video published on social media, . “From 2027, we will free you. Because you deserve to be free from this parallel, violent and cowardly government,” he said.
Lula was informed of the US decision by two assistants from the international area on Thursday night and immediately asked for an analysis of the economic impact of the measure. The PT member also asked for a diplomatic assessment from Itamaraty and wants to evaluate the data before making a statement. But the idea, in general, is to reinforce the discourse of sovereignty.
Meanwhile, its allies have already overtaken the US in Brazil. The intention of the PT team from now on must be to associate the rival’s image with that of the militia. “Will the US also classify the Rio de Janeiro militia linked to Bolsonaro as terrorists?” said minister Guilherme Boulos (General Secretariat).
With reservations, Lula’s allies say that Trump’s decision reinforces the need to highlight Banco Master’s as a strategy against the senator.
Brazilian diplomacy was against the designation of these groups as terrorists for reasons of concept and legal aspects and was in line with what is established by the UN. Within the Lula government, there is concern about making clear the reinforcement of the discourse in defense of sovereignty without defending factions.
“International cooperation is welcome, especially on issues such as money laundering and weapons smuggling. A pretext for intervention is unacceptable,” said Celso Amorim, special advisor to the Presidency, responsible for dealing with international affairs.
With the classification of the PCC and the CV as terrorist organizations, Flávio revived the electorate’s concern with public security — which ended up being overshadowed in recent weeks by the “Dark Horse” case and the perception of corruption.
In the video published on social media, Flávio stated that he did “more for Brazil and the safety of Brazilians” on a trip as a pre-candidate than the PT and Lula did in 17 years.
In a campaign tone, the senator accused the president of “lobbying in favor” of the CV and the PCC and said that a government that has no control over its own territory is complicit in crime.
Flávio also shared the publication made by Marco Rubio, from the US State Department, on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote: “Great day”.
Already preparing to attack Lula in this area, in recent days, Flávio had already been using in his pre-campaign for the Presidency photos from 2022 of Lula with the lawyer and , preventively arrested in an investigation that investigates her alleged involvement with , to create an association.
Presidential candidates Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) and Romeu Zema (Novo) also joined the chorus of criticism of Lula in light of the Trump administration’s measure. Caiado said on social media that the PT member classifies criminal organizations as “victims” and called the situation absurd. “Unfortunately, it’s there, Lula, you are demoralizing the country,” he said in a video.
Zema took advantage of the situation to praise Flávio Bolsonaro, whom he had attacked, two weeks ago, for revealing his proximity to banker Daniel Vorcaro, from Banco Master. At the time, he was criticized by Bolsonaro supporters, such as former councilor Carlos Bolsonaro.
The Novo pre-candidate said that the PL senator “was capable of doing” what Lula should have done a long time ago. “Those who threaten our sovereignty are exactly the PCC and the Red Command. They dominate territories within Brazil. They are the ones in charge there.”
Bolsonaristas congratulated Flávio and attacked the government. Senator Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), coordinator of Flávio’s pre-election campaign, said that he “was more effective” than the current government and that, in 2027, “criminals will once again fear the law”.
In the same vein, senator Sergio Moro (PL-PR), pre-candidate for governor of Paraná, said that Flávio’s “diplomacy yielded more than Lula’s pro-crime lobby.” Federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (MG) said it was a “great goal” by Flávio.
Former federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), who accompanied his brother on the visit to Trump, said that he “will be able to do much more for the public safety of all of us who suffer at the hands of these criminals”, if he is elected president.
In response, parliamentarians linked to the president have highlighted actions taken against organized crime by the administration so far. In a note, the PT leadership in the Chamber cites the Antifaction PL and the Security PEC. The factions’ design as terrorist groups had not been discussed in the meeting between Lula and Trump, according to the Brazilian.
“The attempt to treat criminal factions as terrorism was discussed and defeated by the Brazilian Parliament. Flávio and Eduardo Bolsonaro are now trying to seek in Washington what they lost in the National Congress”, says a statement from the leadership.
Lula’s allies also cite possible impacts of the decision on the financial system and insinuate that the economic sector will be unwell with Flávio from now on.
“The classification makes American investments in the country difficult and allows interference by the American government in matters of interest to Brazilian companies in the USA,” said Paulo Teixeira (PT), former Minister of Agrarian Development.
Other allies say they are not surprised by Trump’s decision and minimize the impact of Flávio’s meeting on the American’s decree.
A president of a centrão party close to Flávio assesses that the Trump administration’s decision is electorally positive for the PL pre-candidate and an opportunity for the senator to overcome the crisis caused by the “Dark Horse” case.
One of the leaders of the ruralist bench, federal deputy Evair Melo (Republicanos-ES) stated that the sector considers the measure to be necessary. “Either we face drug trafficking through the front door, or we are going to be hostages to these people the entire time,” he said.
Four deputies from the center heard by the Sheet claim that the Bolsonarists will try to divert the subject of the PEC 6×1 and the “Dark Horse” case to wear down the PT on the public security agenda, but they believe that the strategy will have no effect. Two others, on the other hand, argue that the measure has the potential to return the public debate to the issue of security, in which Lula faces greater difficulties.
