US to designate two Brazilian gangs as ‘terrorist’ organisations | Donald Trump News
U.S. to Designate Two Brazilian Gangs as Terrorist Organizations
The United States announced plans to classify two Brazilian gangs as terrorist organizations, reflecting an ongoing initiative by the Trump administration to merge criminal and terrorist classifications.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Thursday that the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho, two of Brazil’s largest criminal networks, will receive these designations. The official classification as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” will take effect on June 5. Until then, both gangs are already categorized as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists,” a label that restricts their access to U.S. assets under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Rubio emphasized the necessity of these measures to safeguard U.S. citizens, stating that the administration is committed to utilizing all available tools to uphold national security. “The Trump Administration will continue to take action to keep illicit drugs off our streets and disrupt the revenue streams supporting violent narco-terrorists,” he said in a statement.
Since his return to the White House for a second term, Trump has sought similar designations for various Latin American criminal organizations. Critics assert this approach may serve as a pretext for expanding U.S. military influence in the region, analogous to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine.
The move to label these two Brazilian gangs is anticipated to resonate significantly within Brazil’s political landscape, which is currently engaged in a contentious presidential election. Left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has reportedly urged the Trump administration to reconsider applying the terrorist designation, fearing it may penalize any entities or individuals who engage with these groups.
Lula has expressed broader concerns regarding foreign interference in Latin America, particularly in light of a recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Currently running for a fourth term in the upcoming presidential race, Lula faces Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who maintains close ties to the Trump administration. In a meeting earlier this week at the White House, Bolsonaro stated he had lobbied for the designation of the PCC and Comando Vermelho.
Trump has previously shown support for Brazilian right-wing politics, notably raising tariffs against Brazil in solidarity with former President Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio’s father, who is currently facing legal challenges after being indicted for attempts to undermine democracy following his electoral defeat in 2022.
Public safety issues are expected to play a significant role in the election, particularly in light of violent incidents involving law enforcement and criminal organizations. Recent police raids in Rio de Janeiro have resulted in high death tolls, raising questions about the effectiveness of militarized approaches to crime.
To counteract the rising violence, Lula announced a $2 billion initiative aimed at dismantling the financial foundations of gangs like the PCC and Comando Vermelho, enhancing investigations into homicides, and improving the prison system.
In response to the U.S. designations, Celso Amorim, Lula’s foreign affairs adviser, cautioned against using the terrorism label as a means to infringe on Brazil’s sovereignty. “Organized crime is an evil that must be fought,” Amorim stated, “but any pretext for intervention is unacceptable.”
