U.S. to Designate Brazil's Two Largest Gangs as Terrorist Organizations
The move could expand sanctions and asset freezes against the groups, which officials say have more than 50,000 members combined.
- On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Brazil's Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, with plans to list them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations effective June 5, 2026.
- Senator Flavio Bolsonaro lobbied President Donald Trump in Washington this week for the designations, arguing the move would bolster national security and disrupt the gangs' transnational criminal operations.
- Rubio stated the PCC and CV are 'two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil,' with networks extending 'across our region and into our country,' aiming to block their access to U.S. assets.
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva blasted the decision as 'undue interference,' warning the terrorist label could pave the way for U.S. military intervention while vowing to fight the gangs domestically.
- Legal experts warn the designation increases scrutiny on financial institutions and could complicate domestic law enforcement strategies, while analysts suggest the move reflects a broader U.S. strategy potentially influencing Brazil's upcoming elections.
183 Articles
183 Articles
El Periódico
Donald Trump decided to intervene in the premature Brazilian electoral campaign. He did not do so with explicit support for Flávio Bolsonaro, the candidate of the ultra-right. The president of the United States avoided publicly endorsing it when he received it in the White House. But he did nothing but reinforce his candidacy at a critical time by pleasing a request from Bolsonaro son and classifying as terrorist organizations the criminal gangs…
Brazil's Sovereignty Under Attack: Washington Opens Door for Military Intervention
The United States has designated two of Brazil's largest criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups, a move that could reshape migration policy, security cooperation, and the country's political landscape ahead of presidential elections. Trump Administration Draws Brazil Into a New Political Dispute The United States has added Brazil's criminal organizations Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) to its list of Forei…
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva harshly criticized the United States this Friday for naming Brazil's two largest criminal factions as terrorist groups and warned against "playing with the sovereignty" of the South American giant.
State Department designates Brazil’s two largest criminal syndicates as terrorist organizations
The U.S. State Department will formally classify Brazil’s two most powerful criminal syndicates, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (Red Command), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists and Foreign Terrorist Organizations, with the designations taking effect June 5. The move freezes the gangs’ U.S.-held assets, imposes sweeping sanctions, and makes it a federal...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
