Brazilians linked to PCC and CV could be subject to US sanctions; understand
With the terrorism designation announced by the Donald Trump administration, people linked to the PCC and the Red Command could be the target of sanctions from the United States.
The measure comes into effect next Friday (5) and could impact people involved in transactions or negotiations with criminal factions, according to information from the US Treasury Department.
The PCC and Red Command will be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT).
The measure prohibits any transaction or negotiation with designated groups.
"Non-U.S. persons who engage in prohibited transactions or dealings subject to U.S. jurisdiction with Specially Designated Global Terrorists may be subject to civil or criminal sanctions and may also be at risk of being sanctioned," the Treasury Department highlights.
"Foreign financial institutions may also be subject to correspondent banking and payment account sanctions if they knowingly facilitate significant transactions for or on behalf of an SDGT," it concludes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the reach of the factions extends to the United States when announcing the decision to classify the PCC and the CV as terrorists.
"Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil. Their reach extends throughout our region and our country," he wrote on social media.
In a statement, Rubiou also stated that this is a matter of national security.
"The Trump administration will continue to use every tool available to protect our nation and our national security interests by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the sources of revenue that fund violent narco-terrorists," Rubio said.
Experts estimate that the new classification could significantly expand the scope of investigations and sanctions against companies and individuals with any connection to the American financial system.
For Hítalo Silva, master in North American Law from UMKC School of Law, the main change is the increased analysis of operations involving dollars or companies with international operations.
"Brazilian companies that handle any type of dollar or are listed in New York require much greater attention to due diligence and know your customer procedures", he stated.
According to the expert, the designation expands the extraterritorial reach of American authorities.
"The PCC is no longer treated solely as a criminal organization and is now classified as terrorism. This increases the scope of investigation by the US Department of Justice, regardless of Brazilian legislation", he said.
Hítalo also warned of possible impacts on individuals.
"It's not just the company. Individuals can be investigated criminally, civilly and administratively in the United States, even without residence or business in the country, as long as they have some connection with the American financial system", he explained.
According to him, operations in dollars, use of American platforms and even email services hosted in the USA can be considered sufficient connection points for possible investigation by American authorities.
The expert also cited the Embraer case as an example of the extraterritorial application of American legislation. According to him, the company was the target of investigation by US authorities for corruption, even though the facts investigated had not occurred on American territory.
"American law enforcement is extraterritorial. It is enough that there is some connection with the United States financial system", he stated.
The announcement comes after the visit of senator and pre-candidate for the Presidency of the Republic Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) to Washington.
This week, Flávio met with American authorities, including Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and US Vice President, JD Vance, with the aim of "working against the criminal factions that terrorize the Brazilian people".
On social media, he reacted to Rubio's post about Brazilian criminal factions and wrote: "Great day."
Big day https://t.co/XxzokXNzxV
- Flávio Bolsonaro (@FlavioBolsonaro) May 28, 2026
Before the announcement, the President's special advisor for International Affairs, Celso Amorim, had said that "equating organized crime with terrorism is not useful."
For Amorim, the growth of organized crime is a "serious threat to security", but it is necessary to "understand" the motivations to combat crime effectively.
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Source: CNN