The United States is preparing to designate Brazil’s criminal factions Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as foreign terrorist organizations [1, 2].
This move would significantly alter the legal framework for combating transnational organized crime and could lead to increased U.S. intervention in Brazilian security matters. The decision arrives amid a volatile political climate in Brazil as the country approaches its 2026 presidential election [2].
U.S. officials said the necessity of combating transnational organized crime is the primary driver for the designation [1, 2]. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump are central to the decision-making process. If the designation is finalized, it would grant the U.S. government broader powers to freeze assets, and prosecute individuals linked to these groups.
However, the proposal has met internal resistance within the U.S. government. Democratic lawmakers sent a letter on May 7, 2026 [1], urging Secretary Rubio not to move forward with the classification. These lawmakers said they have concerns over the potential diplomatic fallout, and the specific legal definitions of terrorism versus organized crime.
In Brazil, the potential designation has become a focal point for political opposition. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and other opposition figures have framed the issue around national sovereignty and the current government's ability to maintain order [1, 2]. The debate has intensified as different political factions use the prospect of U.S. intervention to influence the 2026 campaign narrative [2].
The PCC and CV are among the most powerful criminal organizations in South America, managing vast drug trafficking networks that extend across borders. While they operate primarily as criminal enterprises, the U.S. is evaluating whether their scale and impact meet the criteria for terrorist organizations [1, 2].
“The United States is preparing to designate Brazil’s criminal factions Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as foreign terrorist organizations.”
Classifying the PCC and CV as terrorist organizations would shift the U.S. approach from law enforcement cooperation to a national security framework. This transition allows for more aggressive financial sanctions and intelligence operations, but it also risks straining diplomatic relations with Brazil if the move is perceived as an infringement on Brazilian sovereignty. With the 2026 election looming, the designation serves as a political catalyst, potentially aligning the U.S. administration with specific Brazilian political factions while isolating others.
