Flavio Bolsonaro proposes declaring gangs as terrorists and creating security ministry

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

On 30 August, Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro met with El Salvador’s justice minister, Gustavo Villatoro, in São Paulo to outline a security platform for his 2026 presidential campaign. Inspired by El Salvador’s model, Bolsonaro proposed establishing a federal public security ministry to coordinate intelligence and funding across municipal and state forces. He further pledged to classify major criminal organizations, such as the PCC and Comando Vermelho, as terrorist groups to enable tools like asset freezes and increased incarceration. This proposal aligns with a similar promise made by President Lula, who also advocated for a new security ministry during a campaign event on 22 August.

Consequences

The adoption of a 'terrorist' designation for domestic gangs could significantly alter the legal framework for international cooperation and asset seizure against criminal organizations. As both leading candidates for the 2026 election now promote a federal security ministry, the role of the state in public safety has become a central point of competition in the upcoming political cycle.

Sources

Know where. Know why.