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Mercosur Ministers Launch Permanent Commission to Coordinate Fight Against Transnational Crime

Officials cast the initiative as a step toward integrated data sharing to target cross-border criminal networks.

Overview

  • Brazil’s justice minister Ricardo Lewandowski announced the creation of the CMCOT in Brasília under Brazil’s rotating presidency to set shared priorities against organized crime.
  • The agreements emphasize information exchange and envision a regional database on criminals, with a focus on gang members.
  • Ministers endorsed joint declarations on combating human trafficking, integrating cybercrime into the agenda, monitoring environmental offenses, and securing the planned bioceanic corridor.
  • The measures are at the declaration stage, the commission will meet in person every 18 months, and countries formed an Intergovernmental Technical Coordination Committee to drive implementation.
  • The push comes as Brazil faces intense public-security pressures and as lawmakers prepare to debate the national anti-gang framework, with participation from nine South American countries including Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Peru, plus Panama.