Financial Crime World

Paraguay Joins Brazil in Fight Against Transnational Organized Crime

Strategic Alliance Aims to Combat Growing Influence of Brazilian Prison Gangs

The Paraguayan government has signed a strategic alliance with Brazil to intensify efforts against transnational organized crime, in a move aimed at curbing the growing influence of Brazilian prison gangs and other illicit activities in the region.

Regional Effort Against Organized Crime

The agreement was inked during a visit by Brazilian Minister of Justice and Public Security Anderson Torres to Paraguay’s capital Asunción. This initiative is part of a broader regional effort to combat organized crime, which has been spreading its operations across borders in recent years.

Brazilian Prison Gangs’ Influence

One of the most prominent Brazilian prison gangs, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), or First Command of Capital, has reportedly established a strong presence in Paraguay and neighboring countries. The gang’s activities include:

  • Cocaine trafficking
  • Money laundering
  • Control of key border areas

Tri-Border Area: A Hub for Smuggling and Money Laundering

The Tri-Border Area, which spans Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, is said to be an international hub for:

  • Smuggling
  • Arms trafficking
  • Money laundering

Joint Operations Disrupt Gang Activities

In response to the growing influence of Brazilian prison gangs, the two governments have launched a series of joint operations aimed at disrupting the gang’s activities and dismantling its networks. One such operation, known as Safety Border, has resulted in the arrest of PCC leaders operating out of key border areas.

Significant Assets Seized

The Brazilian and Paraguayan authorities have also destroyed large quantities of marijuana, with nearly 12,000 tonnes eliminated over the past few years. In addition to these efforts, the two governments have seized significant assets from smugglers and drug traffickers operating near the Brazilian-Paraguayan border.

Strategic Alliance Seen as a Major Breakthrough

The signing of the strategic alliance is seen as a major step forward in the fight against transnational organized crime in the region. Paraguayan Minister of Interior Federico González tweeted after the agreement was signed:

“We have strengthened the bonds of cooperation in matters of security and the fight against organized crime.”

A Model for Other Countries to Follow

The initiative is also seen as a model for other countries to follow, with Brazilian officials hoping that more neighbors will join the effort. “The ‘Strategic Alliance against Transnational Organized Crime’ is an initiative carefully designed by the Brazilian government that will join talents of the Southern Cone countries’ security areas to intensify and accelerate hard blows that we are inflicting to organized crime regionally,” Torres said.

Commitment to Sharing Intelligence and Strengthening Judicial Cooperation

As part of the alliance, the two governments have committed to:

  • Sharing intelligence
  • Coordinating law enforcement efforts
  • Strengthening judicial cooperation to combat transnational organized crime.