Brazil Finance Minister Durigan warns of U.S. interference in PCC and Comando Vermelho investigations

Finance Minister Dario Durigan said he is concerned about interference from the United States under the Trump administration in Brazil’s investigations of criminal organizations. He noted that the Federal Police operation launched on Friday targeted Brazilian businessmen Stella Stefanie Nunes and Victor Henrique de Oliveira Shimada, the first Brazilians sanctioned by the United States after the Trump government classified the PCC and Comando Vermelho as international terrorist groups. Durigan emphasized that the individuals and companies had already been under investigation by Brazil’s Federal Police and the Federal Revenue Service, and that the operation was planned before the U.S. sanctions were announced. He added that Brazil has shared information with the United States and remains committed to combating the “social terror” caused by these groups.

The Federal Police said the operation was accelerated to prevent flight after the sanctions were made public, but affirmed that the investigative work had been ongoing for some time.