Latin American Coalition Labels Brazil's PCC and CV as Terrorist Groups, Brazil Reacts with Caution

Fourteen Latin American countries, coordinated through the U.S.-led "Escudo das Américas" alliance, have officially classified the Brazilian criminal organizations Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist groups. This joint declaration was announced on September 22 during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting a regional commitment to combatting narcoterrorism and emphasizing measures such as asset freezing, immigration restrictions, and criminal accountability for individuals supporting these organizations.

The countries involved include Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, alongside the United States. The declaration labeled a total of 24 transnational narcoterrorist organizations as threats to peace, security, and prosperity across the hemisphere.

However, Brazil notably does not recognize the PCC and CV as terrorist groups, and the government's diplomatic channels were reportedly caught off guard by the announcement. Brazilian officials are currently evaluating the impact of these developments, especially as they coincide with Brazil's upcoming elections and amid heightened tensions between Brasília and Washington.

The declaration's release followed speeches at the UN General Assembly where former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong support for conservative Latin American leaders who are part of this alliance, asserting that drug cartels represent a threat to civilization. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended Brazil's sovereignty, calling for cooperative strategies to combat crime vectors such as arms and money flows rather than external intervention.

As part of their coordinated actions, the allied countries intend to submit a formal proposal to the Organization of American States to establish a "Consultation Body" under the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance to further strengthen joint security efforts. The coalition also aims to reinforce the Western Hemisphere's resilience economically and politically by boosting supply chain integrity, digital infrastructure regulations, intelligence sharing, law enforcement capacities, and humanitarian assistance.

This strategic move underlines the region's resolve to tackle narcoterrorism collectively but also highlights Brazil's unique stance and concerns about the designation amid its domestic political debate and electoral sensitivity.