The U.S. State Department announced plans to designate Brazil's two largest criminal organizations, the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), as foreign terrorist organizations starting June 5. This decision has drawn criticism from the Brazilian government,which views it as unwarranted interference in its domestic affairs .
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that PCC and CV will initially be classified as specially designated global terrorists,a designation that restricts their financial operations due to their perceived threat to U.S. citizens. Rubio's announcement coincided with a visit from Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro,who has been vocal in supporting this move. The senator, who is vying for presidency against incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the upcoming October elections, faces challenges following revelations about his financial dealings with a disgraced banker.
Lula has criticized U.S. designation, arguing it favors his electoral opponent and undermines Brazil's sovereignty. He has yet to respond to the recent announcement. The PCC and CV are believed to have over 50,000 members combined, with operations primarily based in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, respectively. Their influence extends throughout South America and into Europe.
The Trump administration's strategy of labeling Latin American criminal organizations as terrorist groups reflects its broader approach to combat drug trafficking in the region. Rubio emphasized the violent nature of these gangs, noting their history of brutal attacks against law enforcement and civilians. He stated, "CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil," highlighting their extensive networks that reach beyond Brazilian borders.
Senator Bolsonaro, who met with Trump prior to his discussions with Rubio, claimed his visit yielded more results for Brazil's public security than Lula's previous administrations . He accused Lula of being submissive to U.S. interests while asserting his own proactive stance against gangs .
In response to the U.S. announcement, a Brazilian government official indicated that there had been no prior warning from Trump administration . Lula's administration has been working to bolster its anti-crime credentials,and designation of these gangs as terrorists could become contentious issue in the upcoming elections. Lula's special adviser for foreign affairs, Celso Amorim, expressed support for international cooperation in combating organized crime but condemned the U.S. move as a pretext for intervention .
Public security is expected to be a significant topic in the electoral race, especially as both candidates have faced criticism over their effectiveness in combating organized crime. While neither Lula nor Jair Bolsonaro has fully succeeded in dismantling the PCC and CV,Brazilian authorities have made strides,including recent operation that uncovered a money laundering network linked to the PCC, reportedly involving over 6 billion reals (approximately $1.1 billion).
Political analyst Thomas Traumann characterized U.S. designation as a direct response to Flávio Bolsonaro's request for assistance amid his campaign struggles. He noted that Lula's previous polling gains occurred after U.S. tariffs against Brazil, suggesting that Lula might leverage this situation to bolster his narrative on national sovereignty once again.
