US designates Brazil's PCC, CV as terrorist groups, impacting Mexico and Venezuela

The United States has officially designated Brazil's powerful criminal factions, the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), as terrorist organizations. The decision, published in the Federal Register on June 5, places these groups on par with Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, which are already subject to U.S. sanctions.

The designation empowers the U.S. to freeze assets of individuals associated with the PCC and CV found within its jurisdiction without prior notice. It also prohibits financial transactions between U.S. persons or entities and these organizations, imposing sanctions on those providing material, financial, or logistical support. This move intensifies U.S. pressure on organized crime in Latin America.

However, experts consulted by BBC News Brasil indicate that, except possibly in Venezuela, the terrorist designation has not yet demonstrably weakened these organizations or led to a decrease in criminal activity. The primary impact appears to be more severe penalties for captured offenders extradited to the U.S. and significantly tighter financial oversight of the groups' dealings within the U.S. and with American-linked companies.

In Mexico, where six criminal factions were designated in February 2025, diplomatic pressure has mounted on President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration. This includes the indictment of ten officials in Sinaloa state, allegedly for ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Mexico's government has also denounced what it calls an unauthorized CIA operation on its territory following the deaths of two alleged agents in a traffic accident.

While the terrorist designation is not a legal prerequisite for U.S. intelligence operations abroad, experts view these recent actions in Mexico and Venezuela as part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against narcoterrorism.