Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that America plans to classify two Brazilian criminal organizations, PCC and Comando Vermelho, as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” beginning June 5.
Brazil’s Lula administration has worked to prevent these classifications, fearing they could create opportunities for U.S. military intervention in Brazil or lead to sanctions against financial institutions that inadvertently conduct business with gang members.
Although the Foreign Terrorist Organization classification is scheduled to begin in June, the State Department immediately labeled both groups as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” on Thursday, according to Rubio’s statement.
Rubio characterized these organizations as among Brazil’s “most violent criminal organizations” with influence and networks that span the region and reach into American territory.
“The Trump Administration will continue to use all available tools to protect our nation and our national security interests by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding violent narco-terrorists,” Rubio stated.
