The United States may apply antiterrorism sanctions to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents linked to Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital, known as PCC, or Comando Vermelho, known in English as Red Command, according to a State Department statement reported by Poder360.
The statement, sent to the Brazilian news outlet on July 4, said transactions with members of the two groups carry sanctions-related risks under U.S. antiterrorism authorities. Washington has classified both Brazilian criminal organizations as “terrorist” groups since June 5.
This article is based on single-source reporting from Poder360.
What Washington Said
A State Department spokesperson told Poder360 that the measure forms part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy of targeting cartels and criminal organizations in the region. The official said the risk applies not only to foreign nationals, but also to lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens.
“Conducting transactions with members of Comando Vermelho or Primeiro Comando da Capital carries risks related to authorities that apply antiterrorism sanctions, not only for non-U.S. persons, but also for lawful permanent residents and U.S. citizens,” the State Department said, according to Poder360.
The department added that the policy showed the Trump administration’s commitment to “eliminate cartels and criminal organizations in our region” and protect Americans. Poder360 did not report details on specific U.S. citizens or residents under investigation.
Earlier Sanctions
The clarification came days after the U.S. Treasury Department announced the first sanctions linked to the new policy. According to Poder360, those measures targeted two Brazilians, three companies based in Brazil and one company in Portugal.
U.S. authorities classified them as part of a money-laundering structure tied to the PCC, Poder360 reported. The sanctions block assets under U.S. jurisdiction and bar U.S. citizens, companies and financial institutions from commercial dealings with the sanctioned individuals and businesses.
Such sanctions can have practical reach beyond U.S. territory because international banks, payment processors and companies often avoid transactions that could expose them to American penalties. The source report, however, did not specify whether any additional Brazilian individuals or companies face imminent designation.
Why It Matters
The U.S. designation of PCC and Red Command as terrorist organizations marks a tougher legal framework for dealing with Brazil’s most prominent criminal factions. In the U.S. system, antiterrorism sanctions can restrict access to assets, banking channels and business relationships connected to the American financial system.
For Brazil, the move adds an international layer to domestic security concerns. The PCC and Red Command are Brazilian criminal organizations whose activities have drawn growing attention from police, prosecutors and foreign authorities.
Poder360’s report indicates that Washington wants the sanctions threat to apply broadly, including to people with formal U.S. status if authorities determine they transact with members of the designated groups. The State Department statement did not describe the evidentiary threshold for penalties or how U.S. agencies would identify covered transactions.