Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva [EPA=Yonhap News Agency, for redistribution and database purposes only]

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strongly protested the United States' decision to place two of Brazil's major criminal organizations on its terror list, calling it "interference in internal affairs."

According to Reuters on the 29th (local time), President Lula described the U.S. action as "disappointing" during a public event, emphasizing that "the eradication of criminal organizations is a matter that the Brazilian government must resolve on its own."

President Lula added, "We will not be treated like children," expressing his displeasure towards U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Earlier, Secretary Rubio announced the policy to designate Brazil's largest criminal organizations, Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), as foreign terrorist organizations.

The Donald Trump administration reportedly determined that these organizations had a widespread impact on Brazilian society and economy through various criminal activities beyond drug trafficking, including extortion and money laundering.

The decision is also known to have been influenced by requests from the children of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a political rival of President Lula.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who is preparing for the next presidential election, recently visited the United States and requested President Trump to designate these organizations as terrorist groups.

In response, President Lula criticized them, stating, "They betrayed their homeland and went to the U.S. to request intervention in Brazil."

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro with supporters [Reuters=Yonhap News Agency, for redistribution and database purposes only]

The Brazilian government maintains that the U.S. action threatens national sovereignty.

Furthermore, concerns are spreading within Brazil that businesses operating in areas influenced by these criminal organizations, even without direct ties, could indirectly be exposed to U.S. sanctions.

Meanwhile, President Lula stated that he would focus on cracking down on the two organizations that have seized control of drug trafficking in Brazil and are expanding their influence across Latin America. [Yonhap News Agency]