U.S. Designates Brazilian Drug Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The U.S. Department of State announced on May 29, 2026, that it has classified two major Brazilian drug gangs, First Command of the Capital (PCC) and Red Command (CV), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) and intends to designate them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) effective June 5, 2026. These groups are estimated to have over 50,000 members combined and are known for their violent activities against police, public officials, and civilians in Brazil. The designation follows a meeting between Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and President Donald Trump, where Bolsonaro urged for the gangs to be officially labeled as terrorist organizations. The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, opposes this designation, arguing that the gangs are criminal enterprises rather than ideologically driven terrorist groups. In response to the growing influence of these gangs, Brazilian authorities have initiated a crackdown on financial networks linked to PCC operations, uncovering significant money laundering activities and seizing assets valued at approximately $220 million.