Brazil Police Chief Proposes South American Coalition Against Organized Crime

Andrei Rodrigues, director-general of Brazil's Federal Police, proposed a South American coalition to combat organized crime during a United Nations summit in New York.

The initiative seeks to synchronize regional law enforcement efforts to disrupt transnational criminal networks that operate across porous borders. By formalizing cooperation, the coalition aims to reduce the flow of illegal weapons and narcotics through joint intelligence sharing.

Rodrigues presented the proposal in June 2026 during the UN Police Chiefs Summit [1, 2]. He said the creation of a specialized alliance focused on the shared challenges of drug trafficking and arms smuggling is necessary [1, 2]. The proposal targets a coalition of 12 countries ^[1] to strengthen regional security through joint action [1, 2].

Transnational organized crime has evolved into a complex network that requires more than bilateral agreements to dismantle. Rodrigues said the rise of these groups necessitates a cohesive regional response to ensure that criminal organizations cannot simply move operations to neighboring jurisdictions with weaker enforcement.

The proposal emphasizes the role of Interpol in facilitating the exchange of data, and the coordination of arrests [1, 2]. By integrating the resources of 12 nations ^[1], the coalition would create a unified front against the logistics of smuggling operations.

This effort comes as South American nations face increasing pressure from non-state armed groups and cartels. Rodrigues said the coalition is a necessary step to counter the growth of these entities and protect the stability of the region [1, 2].