US Plans to Designate Two Major Brazilian Gangs as Terrorist Organizations, Says Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US plans to designate two major Brazilian criminal groups as terrorist organizations, a move that opens the door for tougher US intervention. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sought to avoid such a designation, fearing it could lead to US military action or sanctions on banks. Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who met with Trump in Washington, requested the designation. Rubio stated that these gangs are the most violent in Brazil and their influence extends into the US. Celso Amorim, Lula's top foreign policy advisor, responded cautiously, stating that while international cooperation is welcome, using it as a pretext for intervention is unacceptable.