US labels Brazil's PCC and Comando Vermelho as terrorist groups

In June 2026 the United States officially designated the Brazilian criminal organizations Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist entities. The move sparked debate in Brazil over whether the gangs fit the classic definition of terrorism and raised concerns about national sovereignty. A Quaest poll released in mid‑June found that 60 % of Brazilian respondents believe the groups should be treated as terrorist organizations, while 45 % support the U.S. classification and another 45 % oppose it.

China responded through its foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, criticizing the U.S. decision as interference in Brazil’s internal affairs and reaffirming Beijing’s long‑standing principle of non‑intervention. The Chinese commentary highlighted its own domestic approach to organized crime, emphasizing coordinated law‑enforcement actions and financial asset freezes.

Brazilian prosecutor Lincoln Gakiya of the São Paulo public prosecutor’s office argued that the U.S. label offers no practical benefit for Brazil, noting that similar designations of criminal groups in Mexico, Venezuela and El Salvador have not reduced their operational capacity.