Analysis: US designation limits cooperation against PCC and CV

The decision by the United States government to classify the PCC (First Command of the Capital) and the Red Command as terrorist organizations should have a significant impact on relations between Brazil and the United States. The assessment is from CNN's senior International analyst, Américo Martins, to Hora H.

Américo points out direct consequences for cooperation between the two countries in the fight against organized crime.

According to the analyst, this type of decision can be interpreted as an attack on national sovereignty and, according to different readings, could even open space for attempts to protect Brazil.

Before making any assessment, however, the analyst emphasizes that organized crime needs to be fought with firmness, intelligence and, above all, cooperation.

Change in the way the US operates
By framing factions as terrorist groups, the United States starts to treat the problem as a matter of national security, and no longer as a case of police and justice.

In practice, this completely changes the way the United States acts: North American agents may have more freedom to act clandestinely in Brazil and, at the same time, they will face much more restrictions when sharing information with Brazilian authorities, precisely because it is a matter of national security.

This change in stance could put at risk advances achieved in recent years, such as the joint operations carried out between the Federal Police and the FBI, which are essential for targeting the financing of organized crime.

"With less transparency and more distrust in the relationship, this type of cooperation can be greatly harmed", stated Américo Martins.

Questions about sovereignty and possible direct actions
Another sensitive point raised by the analyst is that the United States would, in practice, be redefining the way of dealing with an internal problem in Brazil.

This opens up space for questions about sovereignty and possible direct actions.

Experts warn that this type of classification could be used to justify direct actions outside the police field - that is, in the military field, in international waters or in regions close to Brazil.

Although this possibility seems unlikely in the short term, the precedent exists.

For Américo Martins, the effective fight against the PCC and the Red Command requires complex long-term public policies, qualified research and integration between different areas and states.

"Ultimately, the most effective path remains that of cooperation, dialogue and respect for the sovereignty of countries", concluded the analyst.

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Source: CNN