MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay strikes deal with FBI to tackle organized crime

Domestic Security Deputy Minister Oscar Pereira and National Police Chief Carlos Benítez signed the document on behalf of the South American country

Paraguayan authorities signed an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of the United States to fight organized crime in “an unprecedented event” of cooperation between the two countries, it was reported. The deal provides for the creation of a group specialized in identifying threats and preventing major events affecting domestic and regional security.

Signing on behalf of Paraguay were Domestic Security Deputy Minister Oscar Pereira and National Police Chief Carlos Benítez while the FBI was represented by Assistant Director for International Cooperation Jason Beachy.

The document includes the “creation of a group specialized in the identification of threats and the prevention of major events that affect internal and regional security,” the Paraguayan Police said in a statement.

“For the first time, the National Police will participate in an official inter-institutional cooperation program,” the Paraguayan government also highlighted.

“The cooperation includes the creation of a special vanguard group focused on combating transnational organized crime and other security threats,” Paraguay's Interior Ministry posted on X.

In addition to signing the agreement, Pereira and Benítez held meetings with FBI specialists in organized crime and terrorism.

US State Department's Global Anti-Corruption Coordinator Richard Nephew met recently in Asunción with President Santiago Peña and insisted his country would continue to strengthen criminal justice, oversight, and accountability institutions. “Accountability and the reduction of impunity are fundamental to fight and prevent corruption,” he added.