Presidential candidate Ronaldo Caiado (PSD) said he would create a legal category to classify criminal gangs as domestic terrorism to strengthen federal action.
This proposal represents a significant shift in how Brazil may approach public security, as it would grant the federal government expanded powers to mobilize agencies and increase penalties for organized crime.
Caiado, the former governor of Goiás, said this position during an interview on Aug. 20 [1]. He said the current legal framework is insufficient for the scale of the threat, stating that Brazil is in a state of war against organized crime [4].
In an earlier interview on July 18, Caiado said he would propose the classification of criminal factions as terrorist organizations within the first 100 days [2] of a potential presidency [3].
The candidate said the measure would allow for the mobilization of federal agencies and the tightening of penalties for those involved in these groups [4]. By redefining these organizations as domestic terrorists, the administration could bypass certain legal restrictions that currently limit federal intervention in state-level crime [4].
Caiado has consistently linked the rise of powerful gangs to a failure of national security. He said the legal change is necessary to dismantle the infrastructure of these factions, and reduce the overall crime rate across the country [4].
The proposal comes as part of a broader campaign platform focused on law and order. Caiado said that treating organized crime as terrorism is the only way to restore sovereignty in regions currently controlled by gangs [4].
“Brazil is in a state of war against organized crime.”
Classifying criminal gangs as domestic terrorists would fundamentally alter Brazil's legal approach to public safety. While current laws treat these groups primarily as organized crime syndicates, a terrorism designation typically unlocks more aggressive surveillance, stricter sentencing, and broader federal jurisdiction. This move would likely spark significant legal debate over civil liberties and the balance of power between state and federal law enforcement.
