Experts say US targeting of Brazilian gangs is an attempt to sway election there

The U.S. designation of Brazil’s First Capital Command (PCC) and Red Command (CV) as terrorist organizations is widely seen as a political maneuver to assist Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in Brazil’s upcoming elections. The move comes after Flávio Bolsonaro visited Washington last week and reportedly urged U.S. officials to extend the classification, which now includes eight other Latin American crime groups—though none operate in the U.S. Analysts argue the decision is timed to strengthen Bolsonaro’s campaign against incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, highlighting his stance on public security ahead of October’s vote. Brazil’s cocaine trade routes do not significantly impact the U.S., with over 90% of seizures in Brazil destined for Europe, according to Carolina Grillo, a sociology professor at Fluminense Federal University. Lula condemned the U.S. move, calling it an overreach and rejecting comparisons to a ‘banana republic.’ He emphasized Brazil’s efforts to combat the gangs, citing recent arrests and ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign stands to benefit from the designation, framing it as a critique of Lula’s handling of crime—a key vulnerability for the incumbent. The Trump administration has previously supported Latin American leaders aligned with its policies, including José Antonio Kast in Chile, Javier Milei in Argentina, and Daniel Noboa in Ecuador. Flávio Bolsonaro, like his father, advocates for shifting Brazil’s trade focus from China to the U.S., aligning with Trump’s economic priorities. Experts suggest the designation could complicate Lula’s ability to link the issue to national sovereignty, given Bolsonaro’s likely use of it in election rhetoric.