Foreign terrorist organisation designation targets Brazil’s PCC and Red Command ahead of election

The US State Department designated two Brazilian criminal groups as foreign terrorist organisations on Thursday. The move took place ahead of Brazil’s presidential election in October. The designation affects the First Command of the Capital, or PCC, and Red Command, or CV. It was set to take effect on June 5.

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Experts said the two gangs likely had more than 50,000 members combined. Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro had pushed for the label. The backers aimed criticism at President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s public security policies. Public security was expected to become a dividing issue during the campaign.

Brazil criminal groups foreign terrorist organisations and the October election

The election was expected to feature Senator Flávio Bolsonaro against Lula. Flávio Bolsonaro was described as a handpicked heir of the former president. Jair Bolsonaro could not run in October. Jair Bolsonaro was serving a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt.

Lula, who was seeking reelection, was trying to strengthen anti-crime credentials. Lula had openly opposed treating criminals as terrorists. At the same time, Bolsonaro’s supporters in Congress had urged Trump to take tougher action. The calls focused on cracking down harder on the gangs.

Brazil criminal groups foreign terrorist organisations and US strategy in Latin America

Designating Latin American criminal cartels as foreign terrorist organisations was linked to a broader US approach. Trump’s administration had used the strategy while backing military activity. It also supported other aggressive steps against drug trafficking. The approach included deadly boat strikes against groups it called narcoterrorists.

The strikes were reported in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. The wider effort was framed around stopping trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. The new Brazil designations followed that pattern. They were announced as political pressure rose inside Brazil before October.

Brazil criminal groups foreign terrorist organisations and police action against PCC and CV

Experts said neither Jair Bolsonaro nor Lula was highly successful against PCC and CV. Even so, Brazil’s federal police and prosecutors had carried out several raids in recent years. Authorities reported a major win in August against the PCC. Investigators said they dismantled part of a money-laundering structure.

The network included gas stations, perfume shops, and a financial services company. The company was based on one of Sao Paulo’s main arteries. Brazil’s federal police said the operation was called Hidden Carbon. Police said it found PCC-linked firms laundering at least 6 billion reals, or USD 1.1 billion.

The designation was scheduled to begin on June 5 and covered PCC and CV. The announcement came as Brazil’s October election moved closer. It also came amid arguments over how to handle crime and public security. Experts continued to point to the gangs’ size and reach as a key concern.

With inputs from PTI