Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro’s presidential pre-campaign has welcomed the United States government’s decision to classify Brazil’s two largest criminal organizations — Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) — as terrorist groups. The announcement came shortly after the senator’s visit to Washington, where he met with senior officials from the U.S. administration.

According to allies of the Brazilian lawmaker, the designation is viewed as a major step toward strengthening international cooperation against organized crime networks operating across Latin America. Members of Bolsonaro’s political circle described the measure as “100% positive,” arguing that it could expand intelligence sharing, financial tracking, and joint security operations between countries.

During his trip to the United States, Flávio Bolsonaro held meetings with President Donald Trump and officials from the U.S. State Department, the agency responsible for the designation announced this week. The senator also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Darren Beattie, a senior White House adviser focused on Brazil-related policy matters.

The Washington meetings are being interpreted by political observers as part of a broader effort by Bolsonaro’s camp to strengthen ties with conservative figures in the United States ahead of Brazil’s next presidential race. Public security, anti-drug policies, and international cooperation against criminal organizations have become central themes in the senator’s political positioning.

The international agenda, however, unfolded amid growing controversy surrounding Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil. Days before the U.S. visit, reports emerged linking the senator to banker Daniel Vorcaro, owner of Banco Master.

According to allegations made public in recent reports, Bolsonaro maintained negotiations and communications with Vorcaro, who is currently associated with investigations tied to one of Brazil’s most significant recent financial scandals. The revelations intensified political pressure on the senator as his presidential ambitions continue to take shape.

The controversy gained additional attention after reports that Vorcaro invested approximately R$61 million in the film “Dark Horse,” a biographical production portraying part of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s political trajectory.

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president and Flávio Bolsonaro’s father, was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison following his conviction for attempting a coup d’état. The case remains deeply divisive within Brazilian politics and continues to fuel tensions between conservative and progressive political groups across the country.

Despite the ongoing controversies, Flávio Bolsonaro’s allies are attempting to keep the focus of the campaign centered on national security and tougher measures against organized crime. The senator’s team believes the U.S. decision regarding the PCC and CV reinforces the argument for stricter international action against criminal factions that have expanded influence beyond Brazil’s borders.

The designation by the United States is expected to intensify political debate in Brazil over public security, foreign policy alignment, and the growing international reach of organized crime groups operating in Latin America.