US labels two Brazilian crime groups as terrorist organizations / Photo: Mauro PIMENTEL - AFP
-
Beaten Ramsay-Peaty casts doubt on future as Australia rule Commonwealth pool
-
Scheffler surges at 3M Open with blistering back nine
-
Ramsay-Peaty beaten into bronze as Australia's Williamson wins Commonwealth gold
-
Brazil's right-wing party nominates Bolsonaro son to battle Lula
-
Kazakh leader tells Putin war should end, Ukraine launches fresh strikes
-
Norris back on pole at Hungarian GP as rivals handed penalties
-
Madeleine McCann's brother targets Olympic dream after Commonwealth final
-
Close to Madrid, those who escaped flames worry what is next
-
Hamilton, Antonelli stung by grid penalties at Hungarian GP
-
Messi can skip All-Star Game after grueling World Cup, says MLS
-
Scotland declares 'major' wildfire in Cairngorms national park
-
Hamilton stung by three-place grid penalty
-
Spain fights to 'save lives' as wildfire evacuees shelter in Madrid
-
Howe uncertain if Guimaraes will stay with Newcastle amid Arsenal interest
-
Palestinians bury four killed in West Bank clash with Israeli settlers
-
Varane concussions motivate Como to ban heading in academy teams
-
49ers coach Shanahan injured in car crash
-
'Amazing' Pogacar-Del Toro friendship lights up Tour de France
-
China evacuates 340,000 people as Typhoon Noul approaches
-
Crisis-hit Flavio Bolsonaro launches presidential candidacy in Brazil
-
Norris back on pole for Mercedes at Hungarian GP
-
As wildfires grip France and Spain, what are the risks from the smoke?
-
Ukraine strikes Siberia refinery as Kazakh leader tells Putin war should end
-
Pogacar set to win Tour de France, Carapaz claims Queen stage
-
Kishan, Varma hit half centuries as India win Zimbabwe T20 series
-
India's education minister resigns, end called to Delhi protests
-
Houthis target Saudi oil as new Middle East front
-
Devastating wildfires send 267,000 fleeing in France and Spain
-
Madeleine McCann's brother reaches Commonwealth Games final
-
Ipswich sign Japan forward Maeda from Celtic
-
Thousands sheltered in Bordeaux as France wildfires trigger exodus
-
Norris finds pace to edge Hamilton in last Hungarian practice
-
Houthis say hit Saudi Arabia as fighting spreads on new Middle East front
-
China evacuates 20,000 people as Typhoon Noul nears
-
Untamed wildfires in Spain, France force over 200,000 to flee
-
Man City's Khusanov signs new five-year contract
-
Spain fights to 'save lives' as wildfires rage near Madrid
-
Atletico complete Lee signing from PSG
-
Spain striker Paralluelo joins Lyon from Barcelona
-
After stellar World Cup, Cape Verde goalkeeper heading to Chile
-
Untamed wildfires force over 160,000 to flee in France, Spain
-
Six ancient Comoros medinas join UNESCO's heritage list
-
Houthis say hit Saudi Arabia as Trump weighs harder Iran strikes
-
Cameroon leader's absence sparks debate over government inaction
-
Houthis claim strike on Saudi Arabia as conflict deepens
-
'Betrayal': The young victims of India's exam leak scandal
-
Teenager allegedly slain by singer D4vd had abortion, court told
-
'The Odyssey' sparks IMAX stampede -- and a backlash
-
100-year-old Mel Brooks lands at Comic-Con for 'Spaceballs' sequel
-
Houthis vow retaliation for Saudi strikes as conflict deepens
US labels two Brazilian crime groups as terrorist organizations
The United States on Thursday designated two well-known Brazilian crime groups, the so-called Red Command (CV) and First Capital Command (PCC), as terrorist organizations, despite opposition from Brasilia.
"CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. "Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil’s borders, across our region and into our country."
"Together, they command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, public officials, and civilians," Rubio said.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has made clear his opposition to this measure, which has broad legal implications in the United States.
Lula's main rival in upcoming elections, conservative Flavio Bolsonaro, has supported the designation. Bolsonaro met with US President Donald Trump earlier this week.
The US began designating criminal gangs -- such as Mexico's Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels -- as terrorists when Trump entered office in January 2025.
In the Trump administration's view, the terrorist label makes it legally possible to undertake broader action -- law enforcement, intelligence and counterinsurgency efforts -- against the groups, their leaders and interests worldwide.
In October, Brazilian security forces conducted a massive raid on CV, resulting in at least 119 deaths -- the country's deadliest such operation. Smaller clashes happen regularly.
In Portuguese, CV is known as "Comando Vermelho" and PCC is called "Primeiro Comando da Capital."
Since late summer 2025, the US has conducted dozens of airstrikes on boats originating from Latin America that it alleged were trafficking narcotics and belonged to terrorist organizations.
Countries such as Mexico and Brazil, with center-left leaders, have been vocal in opposing the designations, while others like Ecuador and Honduras, helmed by right-leaning governments, have supported them.
The Brazilian presidential election will take place in October, with recent polling showing Lula ahead of Bolsonaro but not commanding a majority of the vote needed to avoid a run-off.
Q.Najjar--SF-PST
