Analysis: Terrorism and organized crime do not really have a political objective

The classification of the PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) and Comando Vermelho as terrorist organizations by the American government is a controversial topic that brings both potential benefits and significant risks to Brazil. The assessment is from CNN International analyst Fernanda Magnotta to CNN 360°.

For Magnotta, the decision was expected.

"It was a matter of time, we already knew that this would most likely come", said the analyst, adding that Brazil is not the first country to face this type of designation, but that the Brazilian case is "quite emblematic".

Possible benefits of the designation
Among the positive aspects, Magnotta pointed out that the measure increases the international cost for criminal organizations.

As of the new classification, the United States will now be able to apply a series of legal instruments provided for by American legislation, such as freezing assets, imposing secondary sanctions, persecuting financial operators and expanding international cooperation.

Magnotta also highlighted that the measure should expand the sharing of intelligence information, with a focus on increasing the traceability of operators in the most sophisticated financial segment and the identification of international agents.

"This pressure that is created in the political and economic field may benefit the process of treating a phenomenon of this nature as a transnational phenomenon", he assessed.

Risks and controversies
On the other hand, the analyst highlighted that the measure raises a debate with potential collateral damage.

The first point raised by Magnotta is conceptual: "Terrorism and organized crime are not the same thing. They do not have the same nature, they do not have the same objectives or political and ideological ends."

According to her, this generalization opens up space for the construction of narratives and, in a context of increasing political polarization, "the instrumentalization of this could become a challenge in the future."

From a practical point of view, the analyst warned of the creation of great insecurity for Brazilian economic agents.

The designation allows the United States to implement sanctions and economic mechanisms through the power of the dollar and control of the international financial system, which can significantly increase the burden of compliance measures on banks, fintechs and payments and investment companies.

Impact on bilateral cooperation
Another point of concern raised by Magnotta concerns the existing cooperation architecture between Brazil and the United States in the fight against organized crime.

With the new designation, the issue is no longer within the scope of the police and now involves the Department of Defense and the CIA.

She also warned that information classified as secret may not be shared with the Brazilian counterpart, which represents an additional risk.

"At the end of the day, everyone, in theory, wants to fight organized crime, but it is not clear what the collateral damage is and whether or not this will backfire," he said.

"It may become more difficult to fight crime, it may become more expensive, even for those who have nothing to do with it."

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Source: CNN