Brazil Warns of Rising Risk of U.S. Military Intervention on Its Soil

The Brazilian government has issued a warning about an escalating risk of the United States resorting to military force within Brazil's territory after Washington classified two Brazilian groups as terrorist organizations.

Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira addressed the parliament in a letter stating, "This classification... can be used to justify cross-border actions against Brazilian institutions."

He further highlighted the danger of the United States potentially employing military force against Brazil's national territory.

Brazilian leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opposed this classification, which the United States views as granting it the right to conduct interventions against the leaders of these groups anywhere worldwide.

In May, the U.S. government confirmed that the groups "Primeiro Comando da Capital" and "Comando Vermelho" maintain "illegal networks" extending far beyond Brazil's borders and declared them terrorist organizations.

These groups are notably involved in drug trafficking and possess other illicit income sources within Brazilian favelas.

Since returning to the White House in 2025, Donald Trump has begun labeling various criminal groups in other countries as terrorist organizations, including Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang.

The United States has launched deadly attacks against Tren de Aragua in Venezuela and conducted lethal strikes on boats Washington claims belong to drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific regions, without providing evidence.

Within Brazil, the right-wing opposition welcomed Washington's decision, accusing the government of laxity and complacency ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for October.