United States Labels Brazil’s Top Criminal Syndicates as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

The United States government officially designated Brazil’s two most powerful criminal factions, the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), as foreign terrorist organizations on June 5, 2026. This move marks the first time Brazilian entities have been added to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist groups, reflecting a significant shift in how international authorities categorize the influence and reach of these syndicates.

The PCC and the Red Command join a growing list of 15 other Latin American organizations currently under similar U.S. sanctions. These groups, which operate across various nations including Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, and Haiti, are now subject to stringent national security measures. By applying this designation, the U.S. government signals that it views the activities of these Brazilian factions as a direct threat to regional stability and international security interests.

This policy adjustment highlights the evolving nature of organized crime in South America, where traditional drug trafficking networks have increasingly adopted tactics that mirror those of militant groups. The designation carries heavy implications, including the freezing of assets and the potential for increased intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. and Brazilian authorities. As these organizations continue to expand their operational footprints, the international community remains focused on curbing their ability to generate revenue and exert control over local territories. The move underscores a broader strategy to treat transnational criminal violence with the same severity as state-sponsored or ideological terrorism.