US designates Brazilian gangs as terror groups, raising concerns over election influence and regional power dynamics
Original framing: “US targeting of Brazilian gangs is an attempt to sway election there, experts say” — South China Morning Post
Research on organized crime in Brazil shows that socioeconomic exclusion, not ideology, is the primary driver of gang affiliation. Scientific studies also indicate that criminalizing gangs without addressing root causes leads to increased violence and instability.
The U.S. designation of Brazilian gangs as terrorist organizations is not merely a counter-narcotics measure but a geopolitical strategy with deep historical roots in Latin America.
It reflects a pattern of external interference that often exacerbates the very problems it claims to solve. Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities, along with grassroots movements, offer alternative models rooted in inclusion and restorative justice. To move forward, Brazil must prioritize local agency, economic inclusion, and regional cooperation over militarized solutions. The U.S. and other global actors must also confront the structural inequalities their policies help perpetuate.