U.S. Plans to Designate Brazilian Crime Gangs as Terrorist Organizations

The State Department is set to announce that it will classify Brazil’s major organized crime groups, Comando Vermelho (Red Command) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (First Capital Command, PCC), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) this Thursday.

This designation comes with serious repercussions, such as imposing strict sanctions on these gangs, preventing them from having assets in the U.S., freezing any currently held assets, and making it illegal for U.S. citizens to support them in any way. According to a statement from the State Department, the PCC and Comando Vermelho represent significant security dangers both within Brazil and internationally, contributing to violent narco-terrorism across South America.

The official designation is set to be effective starting June 5th.

The State Department noted that these two syndicates have thousands of members and orchestrate brutal assaults on police, government officials, and civilians. Their influence reportedly stretches beyond Brazil into surrounding regions and potentially into the United States.

The statement added that the administration is committed to using all available means to safeguard national security by eliminating illegal drugs from U.S. streets and cutting off the financial resources that fuel violent narco-terrorism. This action underscores the administration’s dedication to dismantling criminal organizations and ensuring American safety.

PCC and Comando Vermelho are infamous for their various fundraising crimes, including drug trafficking, arms dealing, and forming alliances with other South American criminal groups. In previous conflicts, they have been responsible for grisly prison riots, using extreme violence to send messages to rivals. During periods of calmer relations, they have cooperated to amplify their illegal operations, posing ongoing threats to public safety.

Authorities in South America have long been concerned about both gangs potentially establishing ties with Hezbollah, an Iranian terrorist organization. In a congressional hearing back in 2018, a U.S. official remarked on a “proven link” between the PCC and Hezbollah.

Sources have revealed that the alliance between these gangs could also provide Hezbollah a secure way to explore connections without risking conflict, especially after former President Jair Bolsonaro intensified law enforcement measures against their activities.

This alliance has led to escalated violence, with gang members openly declaring their intent to create widespread panic. Reports from 2019 indicated that gang members in northern Brazil were instructed to “cause general terror,” aiming to create chaos.

More recently, gang activities have evolved, with organized robberies targeting pharmacies and an increase in drug trafficking, notably including legal prescription medications. Reports highlighted a significant spike in robberies aimed at acquiring weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which then appeared on the black market through messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Despite the turmoil these gangs cause, there’s political resistance against aggressive actions to curb their influence. Reports suggest that left-wing politicians, including Socialist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, are against the U.S. terrorist designation, fearing it may lead to military interventions in Brazil. Following a significant police operation in Rio de Janeiro, leftist politicians placed blame on law enforcement rather than the gangs themselves for the violence.

During a recent visit to the White House, Lula described his interactions with President Trump as constructive, despite their past tensions. Trump reportedly commended Lula as “very dynamic,” and conversations touched on organized crime in Brazil. However, Lula and his supporters are wary of the U.S. designation, concerned it may be a precursor to military actions against the gangs.

Just after Lula’s visit, he introduced a new federal strategy to combat organized crime. A news agency quoted that Brazil aims to avoid being designated as harboring terrorist organizations. There has also been an increase in intelligence collaboration with the U.S. focused on arms and drug trafficking.

The State Department’s announcement follows a recent visit by Lula’s political rival, former President Jair Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. After discussing with President Trump, he urged the U.S. to classify both gangs as terrorist groups.

Senator Bolsonaro emphasized, “While Lula was lobbying for drug traffickers, I came here to eliminate foreign terrorist organizations as quickly as possible. They are definitely a terrorist organization.”