US labels major Brazilian crime groups as terrorist organisations

The United States on Thursday designated two well-known Brazilian crime groups, the so-called Red Command (CV) and First Capital Command (PCC), as terrorist organisations, despite opposition from Brasilia.

“CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organisations in Brazil,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil’s borders, across our region and into our country.”

“Together, they command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, public officials and civilians,” Rubio said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made clear his opposition to this measure, which has broad legal implications in the United States.

The leftist leader’s main rival in coming elections, conservative Flavio Bolsonaro, has supported the designation. Bolsonaro met with US President Donald Trump earlier this week.

The US began designating criminal gangs – such as Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua – as terrorists when Trump entered office in January 2025.