US designates Brazil’s two largest gangs as terrorist organizations

The Guardian World Friday 29 May 2026, 12:31 UTC By Tiago Rogero in Rio de Janeiro 1 min read

Key Points

The United States has designated Brazil's two largest criminal gangs, the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command, as foreign terrorist organisations. This announcement, made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is viewed in Brazil as a setback for President Lula da Silva, who had opposed the designation. Conversely, the move is seen as a boost for his far-right challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro.

Announcement by Marco Rubio is being widely seen as setback for Brazil’s president, and a boost for his far-right challenger

The United States has designated Brazil’s two largest criminal gangs, the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command, as foreign terrorist organisations.

The announcement, made by Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, on Thursday, is being widely seen in Brazil as a setback for Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president who had strongly opposed the designation – and a boost for Lula’s main challenger in October’s presidential election, the far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro.

Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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US designates Brazil’s two largest gangs as terrorist organizations

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