The U.S. Department of State and Department of Justice announced an intention to classify the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist organizations [1].

This designation would shift the legal framework used to combat these groups, moving from traditional organized crime enforcement to counter-terrorism measures. Such a move allows the U.S. government to apply more aggressive pressure on networks that threaten regional and international security [2].

The announcement was made on May 28, 2024 [1]. U.S. officials said the move aims to combat transnational organized crime [2]. By labeling these groups as foreign terrorist organizations, the U.S. can leverage broader legal tools to freeze assets, and restrict the movement of individuals linked to the gangs [2].

Parallel efforts are occurring within Brazil. The Commission of Foreign Relations and National Defense in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has discussed a proposal to mirror this classification [3]. Brazilian politicians said this would provide the domestic government with stronger legal tools to dismantle the gangs [3].

The PCC and CV are two of the most powerful criminal organizations in South America, often controlling drug trafficking routes that extend into the U.S. The proposed shift in classification signals a change in how the U.S. views the stability of the region, treating gang violence not just as a law enforcement issue, but as a threat to national security [2].

Legislative discussions in Brazil suggest a growing appetite for harder-line security policies. Supporters of the move, including Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), have aligned their positions with the U.S. strategy to intensify the crackdown on these syndicates [1].

“The U.S. intends to classify the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist organizations.”

The reclassification of the PCC and CV from criminal gangs to terrorist organizations allows the U.S. to utilize the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) framework. This grants the U.S. government expansive powers to target the financial infrastructure of these groups and justifies more intrusive intelligence operations. For Brazil, adopting similar labels would likely increase cooperation with U.S. security agencies but could also complicate the legal status of individuals associated with these groups under international law.