US government labels Brazil’s 2 biggest drug gangs as foreign terrorist organizations

The U.S. State Department will designate Brazil’s two largest criminal gangs, the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), as foreign terrorist organizations effective June 5. Until then, they will be labeled as specially designated global terrorists, restricting their financial transactions and designating them as threats to U.S. citizens. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement, citing the gangs’ violent attacks against Brazilian police, officials, and civilians, as well as their regional and international reach. The PCC operates primarily in São Paulo, while the CV is based in Rio de Janeiro, with combined membership exceeding 50,000, according to experts. Most of their operations are linked to Europe rather than North America. The move follows a visit by Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and a presidential candidate, who advocated for the designation. Bolsonaro claimed the U.S. actions would strengthen Brazil’s public security more than President Lula da Silva’s three administrations combined. Lula, however, has criticized the designation as interference favoring Bolsonaro’s election campaign. Brazil’s government received no prior notice of the decision, according to an anonymous staffer. Lula, who is seeking reelection, has accused Bolsonaro of failing to combat organized crime and warned the designation could undermine his anti-crime credentials. The U.S. strategy aligns with previous efforts under the Trump administration to label Latin American cartels as terrorist organizations, including military actions targeting drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific. Rubio emphasized the gangs’ transnational threat, stating their influence extends across South America and into the U.S. The designation aims to disrupt the gangs’ financial networks and strengthen regional security, though Brazil’s reaction remains critical of the timing and political implications.