Brazil Seizes 1,100 U.S.-Origin Weapons in Past Year
Brazil reports major seizures of U.S.-origin weapons as bilateral security coordination advances amid political tensions.
Authorities intensify inspections targeting illicit arms and drug shipments. Photo: Milenio
April 11, 2026 Hour: 6:45 am
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Authorities report major arms and drug seizures as Brazil and the United States expand coordination against organized crime.
Brazilian authorities seized more than 1,100 weapons originating from the United States over the past 12 months, officials reported, alongside the confiscation of more than 1.5 tons of drugs in the first quarter of 2026.
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The figures were announced Friday by Secretary of Federal Revenue Robinson Barreirinhas during the presentation of a joint Brazil–U.S. initiative targeting organized crime. Barreirinhas said the government has begun registering data in a specialized system designed to track weapons entering Brazilian territory from the United States.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan described the measure as a first significant step in bilateral cooperation to confront criminal organizations. The initiative follows a meeting held last October between Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Donald Trump.
Under the new framework, customs authorities from both countries will exchange technical information to identify illicit cargo in containers shipped from U.S. ports to Brazil.
The agreement is being implemented amid ongoing debate over Washington’s intention to classify Brazilian criminal groups Comando Vermelho and Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) as terrorist organizations. The Brazilian government has rejected the proposal.
On March 18, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira opposed the initiative, describing it as interference that could enable U.S. military intervention in Brazilian territory. He stated that Brazil’s position is based on a legal imperative that prevents acceptance of such a foreign classification.
Vieira also warned before the Chamber of Deputies that a terrorism designation could justify sanctions against Brazilian companies and institutions. He conveyed this position to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during bilateral negotiations. The Lula administration maintains that the measure undermines the country’s political and legal autonomy.
Author: MK
Source: Agencies
