Brazil's foreign ministry warns of U.S. military risk after gang terror designations

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) alerted Congress that the United States' designation of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and the Comando Vermelho (CV) as foreign terrorist organizations could open the door to unilateral U.S. actions, including the "possibility of the United States using military force on Brazilian territory," according to a document signed by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira on 1 July 2026. The ministry warned of potential impacts on Brazil’s financial, migratory and penal systems and on national sovereignty.

In response, a U.S. State Department spokesperson called the Brazilian hypothesis of a U.S. intervention “absurd,” stating that Washington’s measures are aimed at combating narcoterrorist gangs that operate within the United States. The United States classified the two gangs as terrorist groups in May 2026 and has since sanctioned Brazilian individuals and companies linked to them.

Brazil’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies have summoned or invited Minister Vieira to explain the diplomatic and security implications of the U.S. designation. The Brazilian government maintains that the classification provides no concrete benefit to bilateral cooperation and could “militarize” the regional agenda against organized crime.