US State Department Designates Brazil’s PCC and CV as Terrorist Groups
On May 28, 2026, the US State Department designated PCC and CV as terrorist organizations.
Why it matters: This designation expands US anti-terrorism powers against transnational crime but risks straining critical US-Brazil law enforcement and regulatory cooperation.
- The First Capital Command (PCC) and Red Command (CV) each have over 50,000 members and carry out violent attacks on Brazilian officials and civilians.
- On May 28, 2026, the US State Department labeled PCC and CV as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), with Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) status effective June 5.
- Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the designation as an infringement on national sovereignty.
- Senator Flávio Bolsonaro supported the US designation and met with former President Trump before the announcement.
On May 28, 2026, the US State Department officially designated Brazil’s two largest criminal syndicates—the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (CV)—as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). The Department announced plans to add them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) starting June 5, 2026. Both groups have over 50,000 members and have carried out violent attacks on Brazilian police officers, public officials, and civilians.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil. Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil's borders, across our region and into our country." This designation forms part of the US government’s broader strategy against drug trafficking and organized crime in Latin America.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sharply condemned the move in a government press release, calling it an infringement on Brazil's sovereignty and stating, "We will not be treated as a tinpot country." Meanwhile, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro publicly backed the US decision and revealed he met with former President Donald Trump before the designation announcement, declaring, "While Lula went to kneel before Trump to lobby for CV and PCC, I went to work to have them treated as terrorists."
The designation raises potential challenges for US-Brazil relations, particularly regarding law enforcement coordination and financial regulatory cooperation. Legal experts note that expanding US anti-terrorism law powers to include these organizations may create tensions in international law frameworks and cooperation protocols. Increased scrutiny of financial networks connected to PCC and CV could disrupt cross-border transactions but also provoke concerns from Brazilian authorities about sovereignty and jurisdiction.
By the numbers:
- 50,000+ members — combined size of PCC and CV gangs
- May 28, 2026 — date US State Department announced SDGT designation
- June 5, 2026 — effective date for Foreign Terrorist Organization status
Yes, but: While the designation empowers US counterterrorism efforts, it may hinder bilateral cooperation by provoking diplomatic friction with Brazil.
What's next: US enforcement agencies will implement enhanced sanctions and monitoring of PCC and CV financial networks after June 5, 2026.