Why did the US designate CV and PCC as global terrorist organisations?

The US government designated Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as Specially Designated Global Terrorists due to their involvement in drug trafficking, violence and transnational criminal activities. The designation also reflects concerns about their growing international reach.

CV and PCC are considered Brazil's two largest criminal organisations. They are involved in drug trafficking, organised crime, extortion, money laundering and other illicit activities both within Brazil and internationally.

What does a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation mean?

An SDGT designation allows the US government to impose sanctions, freeze assets under US jurisdiction and restrict financial dealings involving the designated organisations. It also increases pressure on international institutions to avoid transactions linked to these groups.

What is a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) designation?

An FTO designation is a broader terrorism classification that carries additional legal consequences. According to the report, the US plans to apply this status to CV and PCC beginning on June 5.

How does cryptocurrency factor into this case?

Brazilian authorities have previously linked both organisations to cryptocurrency-based money laundering activities. Investigators allege that digital assets were used to help move or disguise proceeds generated from criminal operations.

What role did Bitcoin mining allegedly play in PCC's activities?

Authorities claim PCC used Bitcoin mining operations as a front for laundering illicit funds. Police investigations reportedly uncovered mining facilities and seized cryptocurrency mining equipment linked to individuals associated with the organisation.

Why is this news relevant to the crypto industry?

The case highlights how regulators and law enforcement agencies continue focusing on the misuse of digital assets by criminal organisations. It also reinforces the industry's growing compliance and anti-money laundering scrutiny.

Does this mean Bitcoin or crypto were responsible for the crimes?

No. The allegations focus on how criminal groups may have used cryptocurrency infrastructure, not on the technology itself. Similar to cash or banking systems, digital assets can be used for both legitimate and illicit purposes.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

US labels Brazilian gangs as global terrorists

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished May. 30 2026Last Updated May. 30 2026

The United States has designated Brazil’s two largest criminal organisations, Comando Vermelho (CV) and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, with plans to classify them as Foreign Terrorist Organisations from June 5.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the groups command thousands of members and have carried out attacks against law enforcement officers, public officials and civilians while expanding operations beyond Brazil.

“These groups command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, public officials, and civilians,”

Rubio said.

The designation follows lobbying efforts by Flavio Bolsonaro and marks an escalation in the Trump administration’s strategy of applying terrorism-related sanctions to major transnational criminal organisations.

The move also carries a cryptocurrency dimension, with Brazilian authorities previously linking both groups to digital asset-based money laundering operations tied to drug trafficking and organised crime networks.

Investigators have alleged that PCC used Bitcoin mining operations as a cover for laundering criminal proceeds, with police operations in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro uncovering mining facilities and seizing cryptocurrency mining equipment connected to the organisation.

The action follows similar US terrorism designations against groups such as Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa Cartel, both of which have also been linked to illicit cryptocurrency activity and international trafficking networks.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $73,613.69.