Brazil and Colombia sign agreement to fight drug trafficking on the countries’ borders

Raul Jungmann and Luis Carlos Villegas, the Defence Ministers of Brazil and Colombia (respectively) signed an agreement on Tuesday (31 January) aimed at combating the activities of criminal organisations that act on the border between the two countries.

The two authorities stated that activities will be enhanced in the 1,400 km of border between the two countries in order to prevent dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to act in the region.

According to the Ministers, the two countries will establish mechanisms for cooperation and combating cross-border crime and for the Brazilian Armed Forces to provide support in the process of demining the Colombian territory.

“In addition to all this, we will also work on combating illegal immigration, since illegal immigrants are often used to transport drugs," Jungmann said.

The resolutions were the result of a meeting that lasted for over two hours between Jungmann and Villegas, proposed by the Brazilian defence minister. The meeting took place on Tuesday (31) in Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas.

Jungmann explained that the actions to be developed by the Brazilian and Colombian security forces will be guided by the intelligence services. He explained that the partnership will also tackle illegal mining, which often leads to money laundering and drug trafficking.

The Colombian minister assured that the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC will not be a reason for concern to Brazil, promised intense fighting against dissidents of the faction, and added that he will not allow for their association with Brazilian criminal groups.

At the meeting, the ministers also decided that Colombia will inform Brazil on weapons disposed by the FARC, aiming to allow for stricter control of this arsenal and prevent such equipment from getting into the hands of Brazilian criminals.