Trump administration cracks down on Brazil's biggest drug gangs with ‘global terror’ designation

The Trump administration designated Brazil's First Command of the Capital (PCC) and Red Command (CV) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists and intends to classify them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations effective June 5, 2026. The move follows pressure from Brazilian Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, who argued the gangs pose transnational threats through drug trafficking and violence. The U.S. stated the action aims to disrupt illicit networks and protect national security.