U.S. labels Brazils two largest gangs as terrorist groups, defying Lula
The United States has designated Brazil’s two largest criminal organizations—Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV)—as foreign terrorist organizations, a move that deepens diplomatic friction with Brasília. The designation, announced by the U.S. State Department and set to take effect on June 5, 2026, marks the first time Washington has applied the "terrorist" label to Latin American gangs, despite vehement opposition from Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, argue the groups operate transnational criminal networks that pose a direct security threat, citing their involvement in drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent operations across borders. The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader strategy to expand U.S. military and law enforcement influence in Latin America, as reported by *Al Jazeera* . The Financial Times notes the move is likely to reignite tensions between Washington and Lula, who has resisted external interference in Brazil’s domestic security policies .
Brazil’s government has consistently rejected the designation, arguing that PCC and CV—though responsible for widespread violence—do not meet the legal criteria for terrorism. Lula’s administration has instead prioritized domestic law enforcement and social programs to dismantle the gangs, a stance that clashes with Washington’s approach. *Die Zeit* reports that Brazil’s efforts to block the reclassification were unsuccessful, with U.S. officials dismissing Brasília’s objections as insufficient to counter the groups’ global reach .
The designation grants U.S. authorities expanded tools to freeze assets, prosecute members, and disrupt financial networks linked to PCC and CV. However, analysts warn it could complicate bilateral cooperation on security issues, particularly as Brazil seeks to assert sovereignty over its internal affairs. The *Copenhagen Post* highlights Rubio’s assertion that the gangs’ activities "extend far beyond Brazilian borders," underscoring the U.S. justification for the move .
Background tensions between the two nations have simmered since the Trump administration’s push to designate Latin American cartels as terrorist entities, a policy Lula’s government views as a pretext for U.S. intervention. With the June 5 deadline looming, Brasília has yet to outline a formal response, but officials privately express concern that the designation could embolden U.S. unilateral actions in the region.
U.S. labels Brazils two largest gangs as terrorist groups, defying Lula
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