Brazil May Join U.S. 'Shield of the Americas' if Bolsonaro Wins Election

According to Eduardo Bolsonaro, a win for his brother Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil's October 25 runoff would likely see Brazil enter the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.-driven initiative to combat transnational drug cartels. The coalition was formed after the Trump administration designated eight major criminal organizations—including the Sinaloa Cartel and MS-13—as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

Current members span the Western Hemisphere, such as Argentina, El Salvador, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay and Chile. Brazil has not participated under left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but a conservative Liberal Party victory could change that policy. Inclusion would broaden the effort’s presence in South America, targeting powerful groups like Primeiro Comando da Capital and Comando Vermelho. The partnership focuses on intelligence exchange, joint military actions and cutting off cartel funding streams, which U.S. officials link to fentanyl and other drug flows into the United States.