The federal deputy is known in the barracks for being “able to make a difference” and for his “determined” profile General Pazuello (PLRJ), a reserve soldier in the Brazilian army, has dedicated himself in recent months to alerting the Lula government to the threat of terrorist cells in Brazil. “The threat is real and it is closer than we imagine.”
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Pazuello is focused on his agenda as a parliamentarian, which he sees as a challenge: “to get the federal government to take a stand and admit that Brazil is not immune to the threat of a terrorist attack.”
In an interview with west, the MP speaks about the terrorist threat in Brazil. Check out the main excerpts.
Together with Federal Representative Sanderson (PLRS), they have submitted a request to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) to coordinate protection in areas of synagogues and Hebrew clubs throughout the national territory. What was done two months later?
I must emphasize that Hamas's terrorist attacks on October 7 were the result of its cowardice, inhumanity, incoherence and atrocities. The main objective of the request addressed to the MJSP was to draw attention to this serious threat, terrorism. She used to seem more picky and punctual. Today she tries to achieve her goals indiscriminately and independently of the social environment. What we are currently seeing inside the Brazilian territory gives us the certainty that the terrorist threat is indeed present in the country, as in the events at the end of October in my city of Rio de Janeiro, as criminal organizations, In retaliation for the legitimate and legal actions of the state, they used terrorist techniques to bring panic and destruction into society. (Pazuello refers to the attacks on buses in the west of the city)
Shortly after the attacks on Israel, you also submitted a request to assess the activities of terrorist groups in the border triangle between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Was the request accepted?
Yes, the request has already been approved in a deliberative meeting of the Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. We already held a public hearing on November 22nd. It was an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into the issue and highlight the reality of the terrorist threat on Brazil's western border.
The Federal Police (PF) arrested men trained and paid by the Lebanonbased terrorist group Hezbollah to attack Jews in Brazil. Were you aware of the investigation?
I had no knowledge of the PF investigation. However, the history of the terrorist attacks that occurred in Buenos Aires (Argentina) in 92 and 94 testifies to the presence of the threat in this subcontinent, especially in the triborder area, in addition to countless other institutional data that also prove it.
What danger signs caught your attention?
After the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, accompanied by demonstrations Khaled MashalWhen one of the group's founders asked the Taliban for support and ordered all Islamists in the world to launch a jihad against the martyred Jews, it became clear that further actions could be triggered, including in Brazil (the news). The terrorist's speech was widely reported in the foreign press and later denied by the Portal agency). Our PF has worked hard with intelligence groups from several countries, which was evident during the year Operation Lava Jato and on other occasions.
The PF completed its investigation into Hezbollah's actions in Brazil. Two pretrial detainees are naturalized Brazilian foreigners. Is it worth tightening immigration laws?
Brazil's immigration and refuge legislation, while not perfect, is one of the most modern in the world. However, more lenient legislation is a reality in our country, and I am not just referring to immigration laws. The government must also consider intelligence data that clearly points to countries that flirt with terrorism and spread and support radicalism and religious intolerance. O Lula government It must take a clear position and admit that Brazil is not immune to these risks.
In 2019, Hamas doctor Basem Naim expressed the group's joy at the release of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was then convicted on three counts. Given this statement, wouldn't it be almost naive to ask the current government for protection?
We remain very concerned about the Federal Government's stance regarding all of these facts, especially considering that the Federal Constitution stipulates that the Brazilian State must follow the principles of enforcing human rights as well as rejecting threats such as terrorist threats. Therefore, in accordance with the AntiTerrorism Law, any action by the Brazilian authorities that advocates or condones acts of terrorism must be properly investigated and punished by the courts.
They said: “The threat is real and it is closer than we imagine.” What do you know about the presence of terrorist groups in the tristate area?
The presence of cells of terrorist groups and other radical Islamic groups in the triborder area is an old matter and has already been investigated by the PF. These groups take advantage of fragile control and transit opportunities for residents to develop their actions and hide by moving their bases, financial resources and other resources away from their countries of origin. We urgently need to improve our border controls, intelligence and inspection efforts in this region. Terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas are known to commit money laundering crimes on the Brazilian border on a daily basis.
Are Brazilian police and armed forces prepared for possible terrorist attacks by Middle Eastern extremists?
Both our Armed Forces and our other security forces have been part of an important process of equipping, preparing and training for use in major events recently held in Brazil, such as the Confederations Cup (2013), the World Cup (2014), etc. The Olympic Games ( 2016).
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 22,000 army soldiers were present on the streets of the capital Rio de Janeiro to ensure security | Photo: Reproduction/NBCNews
As the war in the Middle East progresses, could possible action by the Brazilian government against Hamas and Iran put the country in a difficult situation with nations that support Israel, such as the United States (US) and the United Kingdom?
Article 4 of the Federal Constitution clearly states the mandate to combat terrorism. Therefore, we have no institutional approval to associate with dictatorial or terrorist governments. The Brazilian state, democratic and free, will never be able to move away from the civilizational values of the West.
Who can Brazilians, especially Jews, rely on to ensure their safety?
Our armed forces, our public security forces, the public ministry and the Brazilian judiciary have the competence and operational capacity to ensure this the safety of all Brazilians, Jews or not, wherever they are. Even in the fight against organized crime and the terrorist threat, we cannot and must not forego cooperation and partnership with countries such as the USA, Great Britain and Israel.