Fernando Haddad, a former minister and Workers’ Party (PT) candidate for governor of São Paulo, dismissed the United States’ designation of Brazil’s largest criminal factions as terrorist organizations during an interview Monday on TV Cultura’s Roda Viva program.
Haddad raised the issue early in the interview, saying the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) has connections outside São Paulo and abroad. Asked by presenter Ernesto Paglia about the U.S. classification, he said the label was less important than the government’s response.
“This is a minor issue, what you are going to call it — a mafia, a terrorist organization, a faction,” Haddad said. “What matters to me is how you are going to work on combating it.”
The U.S. Designation
The United States announced in May that it was classifying both the PCC and the Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations. The decision created concerns among companies about possible financial repercussions and prompted businesses to examine connections with the groups, according to Folha de S.Paulo.
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, known as Itamaraty, said the new status could create an opening for the United States to use military force in Brazil. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government criticized the designation at the time, arguing that Brazil’s security issues should not be politically manipulated and accusing “false patriots” of seeking foreign interference in Brazilian affairs.
Haddad argued that terrorism generally involves an ideology, while criminal factions and mafias primarily seek money. He said the PCC has expanded into formal economic activity to launder proceeds.
“Terrorism is another category they invented in the United States, with support here from the far right, to create confusion in public opinion,” Haddad said.
He returned to his central point: regardless of terminology, organized crime must be confronted.
São Paulo Election
Haddad also attacked Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, who is seeking re-election this year. He criticized what he described as Tarcísio’s submissive posture toward U.S. President Donald Trump amid the tariffs imposed on Brazilian products.
According to Haddad, Tarcísio had suggested giving Trump something in order to calm the dispute, raising the possibility of concessions involving Pix, Brazil’s instant-payment system, or rare-earth minerals. Haddad also said Flávio and Eduardo Bolsonaro negotiated the tariffs and argued that São Paulo had been affected more heavily than other Brazilian states.
The candidate did not provide further details during the interview about the alleged negotiations.
Lula’s Succession
Haddad said replacing Lula would be difficult under any scenario because of the president’s personal charisma and the historical circumstances that produced his political rise.
“A leader like Lula will not appear. It is a mistake to imagine that you can reproduce a Lula,” Haddad said. “It is the historical context that produces a president like Lula.”
He added that the PT and the broader progressive camp have several capable figures who could emerge as future leaders.
This article is based on single-source reporting from Folha de S.Paulo; the statements and claims described above were made or reported in that coverage.