The United States government is preparing to designate the Brazilian criminal factions Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as foreign terrorist organizations [1, 2].
This move would grant the U.S. administration access to stronger counter-terrorism tools to combat transnational organized crime. Such a designation could also create a legal framework for potential intervention in the security situation within Brazil [1, 2].
U.S. officials said the Brazilian government has been informed of their intent to implement these classifications in the coming days [1, 2]. The shift comes as the U.S. security strategy in the Americas evolves between 2025 and 2026 [3].
However, the proposal has met immediate resistance from Brazilian authorities. The Brazilian Federal Police said they refuted the U.S. proposal to label the PCC and CV as terrorist groups [2].
The PCC and Comando Vermelho are two of the most powerful criminal organizations in Brazil. By classifying them as terrorist organizations rather than standard criminal enterprises, the U.S. can employ different legal mechanisms to freeze assets, and restrict the movement of associated individuals across borders [1, 2].
This diplomatic tension highlights a disagreement over how to categorize organized crime in South America. While the U.S. views these groups as threats requiring a counter-terrorism approach, Brazilian law enforcement said the designation is inappropriate for these specific factions [2].
“The United States is preparing to designate the Brazilian criminal factions PCC and Comando Vermelho as foreign terrorist organizations”
The proposed designation represents a significant escalation in how the U.S. handles organized crime in the Western Hemisphere. By shifting from a law-enforcement framework to a national-security framework, the U.S. increases its legal authority to act against these groups. However, the rejection by the Brazilian Federal Police suggests a potential diplomatic rift regarding sovereignty and the legal definition of terrorism versus organized crime.
