Published on April 1, 2026
The Trump administration is reportedly considering designating Brazil’s two largest drug gangs, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV), as terrorist organizations. This potential move comes in response to lobbying efforts of Jair Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian president who is currently in jail on corruption charges.
The Bolsonaro family’s push for this classification aims to garner international support for Brazil’s ongoing fight against organized crime. The designation as terrorist groups would not only facilitate stricter measures against these gangs but also enhance cooperation between the U.S. and Brazilian law enforcement agencies. Supporters of the initiative argue that labeling these gangs as terrorists would underscore the severity of the threat they pose not just to Brazil, but to regional stability and security.
The PCC and CV are notorious for their involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and violent crime, significantly impacting public safety in Brazil. These organizations control vast areas of the drug trade and have been implicated in numerous violent confrontations with police and rival gangs. As Brazil grapples with rising violence linked to drug trafficking, the Bolsonaro family believes that a U.S. designation would help elevate the issue on the international agenda.
However, critics of the proposal warn that such a label could complicate efforts to address the root causes of organized crime. They argue that focusing solely on punitive actions might overlook essential factors such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity—conditions that contribute to the growth of these gangs.
Analysts suggest that if the U.S. proceeds with this designation, it could pave the way for broader military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries, potentially reshaping the landscape of drug enforcement operations in Brazil.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to this pressure and whether it will align itself with the former president’s family in taking a tougher stance on Brazil’s drug gangs.
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