The White House stated in an annual report sent to Congress and revealed on September 16, 2026, that Brazil has failed to tackle the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho. The Ministry of Justice refuted the accusation, citing the Anti-Faction Law and saying it awaits a response to a cooperation proposal with the U.S.
The Trump administration accused Brazil of “failing” to confront the PCC and Comando Vermelho, factions classified as terrorist organizations by the United States. According to the report, these groups have turned the country into a central hub for global cocaine flow.
The information was published on September 17, 2026, on g1. The accusation is detailed in a document signed by Trump, sent to the U.S. Congress and released by the State Department on September 16.
Document Signed by Trump States that Factions Made Brazil a Central Route for Cocaine
In his report, Donald Trump compares Brazil to other governments in the region. “While many governments in the Western Hemisphere are taking bold measures to reduce drug flow and eradicate cartels, the Brazilian government has failed to confront the designated foreign terrorist organizations, Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho,” the document states.
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U.S. Identifies PCC and CV as Growing Threat and Calls for Aggressive Measures
The United States states in the document that the Brazilian factions pose a “growing threat to peace and security around the world.”
The report also makes a direct demand to the Brazilian government, stating, “The Brazilian government needs to urgently take aggressive measures to confront and defeat them before they spread and grow.” The White House emphasizes this need.
Ministry of Justice Refutes Claims of Failures or Omissions in Combating Organized Crime
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security asserted that “the Brazilian government refutes any allegations of failures or omissions in tackling transnational organized crime.”
The ministry highlighted the sanctioning of the Anti-Faction Law, which, according to them, “provides harsher penalties for gang leaders and creates mechanisms to stifle their operations.”
Government Mentions Federal Operations and Awaits Response to May 7 Proposal
The ministry also referenced “the tens of thousands of crime-fighting operations by federal forces, resulting in billions of reais in losses for criminals.”
Additionally, the ministry noted that Brazil is still awaiting a response from the White House regarding a proposal made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) in Washington on May 7. The document outlined “joint measures to combat money laundering, share intelligence, and tackle arms trafficking.”
Ministry States Brazil Is Not on the U.S. Formal Drug Routes List
The annual report from the White House identifies the “top drug transit or major illicit drug-producing countries.” Brazil is not on this list and was mentioned in the president’s comments regarding the security policies of other countries.
The ministry used this point in its response. “Brazil was not included in the list of countries formally classified by the U.S. as major transit or illicit drug-producing countries. The reference recorded in the text does not correspond to the legal category of formal non-compliance as provided in U.S. law governing this annual mechanism. It is, therefore, a circumstantial statement inserted in the narrative part of the document, without backing in its dispositive section,” the ministry stated.
2026 List Includes China, Mexico, Colombia, and Bolivia
The countries listed this year as major drug transit or producing countries were Afghanistan, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, and Peru.
The document is sent to the U.S. Congress every year and helps guide U.S. foreign security policy and the allocation of funds to combat drug trafficking.
U.S. Designated PCC and Comando Vermelho as Terrorist Organizations in June
The United States designated PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist organizations in early June. The decision was a setback for President Lula’s administration in its relationship with Washington, as the leftist government opposed the designation.
The Brazilian government argued that the measure poses a risk to national sovereignty, by creating room for U.S. military actions under the pretext of combating terrorism.
Announcement Came a Day After Flávio Bolsonaro’s Trip to the U.S.
The announcement that the factions would be designated as terrorists was made in May, one day after Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) concluded a trip to the United States, during which he met with Trump. The official designation came in early June.
Flávio, Lula’s main opponent in the presidential race and ideologically aligned with Trump, had been publicly advocating for the designation for over a year. According to him, international cooperation would enhance the fight against the factions and the violence faced by the population.
Trump Praises Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador
According to Trump, a country’s presence on the list “does not necessarily reflect the current efforts of its government in fighting drugs or its coordination with the United States”. The document praises allied governments that appear on the list.
“I commend three of the United States’ greatest allies in our hemisphere, Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador, for their leadership, determination, and success in combating narco-terrorism,” reads the text.
Interim Government of Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela Receives Praise
The report also praises the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez, who took power in Venezuela in early January after the United States captured Nicolás Maduro.
According to Trump, due to Maduro’s arrest and removal, “we are already seeing the results of the growing cooperation with the interim government of the country in combating the cartels, including the elimination of Niño Guerrero, the leader of Tren de Aragua”.
Bolivia and Colombia Join the List of Those Who Failed, While Venezuela is Removed
The document also lists the countries that “have demonstrably failed over the past 12 months” to meet obligations under international drug control agreements. In 2026, the U.S. included Afghanistan, Bolivia, Colombia, and Myanmar in this list.
Venezuela has been removed from the list. “In light of the positive progress achieved under Interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s administration, I have determined that Venezuela should no longer be classified as a country that has demonstrably failed to meet its drug control commitments”, Trump wrote.
In your opinion, should the Trump administration’s criticism of efforts against PCC (Primeiro Comando da Capital) and Comando Vermelho (CV) lead Brazil to enhance cooperation with the U.S., or does it represent undue pressure on national sovereignty? Share your thoughts in the comments.
