OAN Staff Jenna Lee
6:53 PM – Friday, May 29, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. will designate Brazil’s two largest criminal gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) — a move expected to open the door for more aggressive interventions following appeals from the political opposition in Brazil.
Effective June 5th, the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), will officially be considered FTOs as the Trump administration intensifies its pressure on crime cartels operating across Latin America.
“CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil,” Rubio said in a statement. “Together, they command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, public officials, and civilians. Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil’s borders, across our region and into our country. Today’s action taken by the State Department further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to dismantling cartels and criminal organizations in our region and ensuring the safety of the American people.”
The decision comes just 24 hours after a Washington visit by Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, a presidential hopeful who is preparing a run with the blessing of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. The senator stated publicly that he personally asked the U.S. government to designate the groups as terrorists.
Aides to the senator, who also met with Rubio, raised the issue to elevate voter concerns surrounding violent crime ahead of Brazil’s October presidential election, while simultaneously aligning their platform with the Trump administration.
Experts say that the PCC and CV likely command over 50,000 members combined. The majority of the PCC’s operations are centered in the metropolis of Sao Paulo, while the CV remains heavily based in Rio de Janeiro.
The administration of current left-wing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had consistently made efforts to avoid such designations. Silva had reportedly refrained from doing so out of fear they could pave the way for unilateral U.S. military action or crippling sanctions against domestic banks that unknowingly process transactions involving gang members.
“International cooperation is welcome, especially on topics such as money laundering and arms trafficking. Using it as a pretext for intervention is unacceptable,” responded Celso Amorim, Lula’s top foreign policy adviser, urging caution following the U.S. announcement.
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