The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control added the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) to its sanctions list on Friday, May 29, 2026 [1].
This designation marks a significant escalation in how the U.S. treats Brazilian organized crime. By labeling these organizations as "Transnational Terrorist Groups," the U.S. government can now utilize more aggressive legal and financial tools to disrupt their global operations.
Authorities said the groups' involvement in international drug trafficking, including the distribution of fentanyl, were primary drivers for the decision [4, 5]. The move is intended to freeze assets, and disrupt the financing networks that allow these groups to operate across borders.
This action is part of a broader trend in U.S. foreign policy. President Trump has designated 27 organizations as terrorist groups since returning to office, setting a new record [2].
The decision has caused concern among some U.S. lawmakers. Democratic representatives said that designating the PCC and CV as terrorist organizations could negatively affect the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Brazil [3].
Legal experts and prosecutors in São Paulo have also raised alarms. Some officials said that the terrorist classification may hinder the exchange of intelligence and information between the two nations [4].
Despite these concerns, the U.S. Treasury Department said that the scale of criminal activity associated with the PCC and CV requires a more stringent level of sanctioning to protect public health and security.
“The U.S. designated the PCC and CV as "Transnational Terrorist Groups."”
The shift from classifying these groups as criminal enterprises to terrorist organizations allows the U.S. to apply the Patriot Act and other counter-terrorism laws. This expands the government's ability to seize assets and prosecute facilitators. However, it may complicate bilateral law enforcement cooperation if Brazilian authorities view the designation as an overreach or a violation of sovereignty.
