U.S. to Designate Brazil's PCC and Comando Vermelho as Terrorist Organizations

The U.S. Department of State announced it will classify the Brazilian criminal factions Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as foreign terrorist organizations, effective June 5, 2026.

Key points

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the groups are among Brazil's most violent, citing their involvement in brutal attacks against authorities and civilians.
• The designation labels the factions as 'Specially Designated Global Terrorists' and 'Foreign Terrorist Organizations'.
• The move follows discussions between Secretary Rubio and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro regarding regional security and organized crime.
• The policy aims to disrupt the groups' revenue streams, including money laundering operations linked to financial technology and fuel distribution.

Why it matters

The designation marks a significant shift in U.S.-Brazil security cooperation and creates potential legal and financial implications for entities linked to the criminal organizations.