The U.S. State Department has designated Comando Vermelho and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), effective immediately, with plans to classify them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) on June 5, 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designations for the two Brazilian criminal syndicates on May 28, 2026. The move followed a meeting between President Trump and conservative Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who urged the administration to label the gangs as terrorist entities.
The official release states that both groups are among Brazil’s most violent criminal organizations, commanding thousands of members and carrying out brutal attacks on police officers, public officials, and civilians. Their operations extend across Latin America and into the United States.
Rubio emphasized that the syndicates’ influence spans regional borders and U.S. territory, warranting inclusion under legal frameworks established for combating violent cartels. The designations are authorized by section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224.
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva government has opposed the designation, arguing that the groups are criminal enterprises rather than ideologically motivated terrorist organizations. Separately, Brazilian authorities have initiated financial actions targeting fraud and money-laundering networks linked to PCC operations.
Bolsonaro thanked the U.S. administration for the action: “Brazil’s law-abiding people are grateful for the attention and commitment of Secretary Rubio and President Trump. This fight is ours. Let’s put an end to these groups! Brazil deserves peace! Brazil has a future!”
The State Department noted that the terror designations will provide U.S. authorities with enhanced tools to freeze assets, disrupt funding streams, and dismantle support networks for these organizations.