On Thursday, the U.S. State Department officially designated Brazil's two largest drug gangs, the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and Red Command (CV), as foreign terrorist organizations. This decision is particularly significant as Brazil approaches its presidential elections in October, where supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro have been vocal in their criticism of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s public security policies. Experts estimate that the PCC and CV have a combined membership exceeding 50,000 individuals, highlighting their substantial influence in the region. The designation of these gangs as terrorist organizations is part of a broader U.S. strategy to combat drug trafficking in Latin America, a tactic that gained prominence during the Trump administration. This approach has included military actions against groups labeled as 'narcoterrorists,' particularly in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions. The implications of this designation may affect Brazil's internal security dynamics and international relations as the country navigates its complex political landscape.