Working together to tackle the growing problem of drug trafficking is a key focus of Eurojust’s cooperation with Latin American judicial authorities. Dismantling the transport routes that allow large quantities of drugs from Latin America to enter the EU via its ports is a priority for both regions. It is essential that European and Latin American prosecutors work closely together, not only to disrupt criminal networks but also to hold them accountable in court. 

JITs involving Latin American countries (2020 – 2024)

Over the past five years, Eurojust cases involving Latin American countries have mainly tackled drug trafficking and organised crime, followed by money laundering. Latin American countries participated in 33 coordination meetings in 2024, more than three times as many as the previous year. Brazil participated in the highest number of coordination meetings, followed by Ecuador and Colombia. Over the past three years, the number of JITs involving Latin American countries has steadily increased, with Brazil participating in the highest number. 

In 2024, Eurojust took a significant step in enhancing cooperation with Latin American partners by signing six Working Arrangements with the Prosecution Services of Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru. The Working Arrangements will strengthen cooperation in crime areas that affect both the EU and these Latin American countries, such as drug and arms trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime. During the year, these countries and Eurojust also created a group for reinforced cooperation to strengthen the joint response to organised crime. In addition, Eurojust continued to implement its Working Arrangement with the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors’ Offices (AIAMP).

The College of Eurojust and the Prosecutors General of the six Latin American countries issued a joint declaration committing to a coordinated legal response to fight the criminal networks operating in their regions, in support of their citizens’ security, economies and well-being. With the support of the EU-funded EL PACCTO 2.0 programme, they agreed to enhance cooperation, including through coordination meetings and JITs between criminal investigative and prosecutorial entities in Latin America and the EU. A commitment was also made to work towards concluding international agreements between these six Latin American countries and the EU on cooperation with Eurojust to deepen collaboration further and enable the systematic exchange of operational personal data. 

In 2024, the Agency also liaised at the institutional and operational levels with Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, following the Council’s decision to authorise the opening of negotiations with these Latin American countries as well. In addition, Eurojust officially requested the Commission to consider asking the Council to extend the mandate for negotiations to at least Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Peru. 

Eurojust already has 15 Contact Points in Latin American and Caribbean countries, who are located in their home country and assist judicial cooperation with Eurojust by ensuring that relevant information is promptly shared with their national authorities. 

Transatlantic cocaine trafficking route by air and sea halted: 23 arrests

Crime: An international criminal network with links to the Italian mafia and Brazilian criminal organisations smuggles over 1 500 kg cocaine into Europe. The criminal groups use cargo ships and private aircraft to transport large quantities of the drug from the Port of Paranaguá to Europe. The millions of euros in profits generated by these activities are laundered through an intricate network of individuals and companies.

Action: On 10 December 2024, a large-scale operation supported by Eurojust and Europol takes place in Italy and Brazil. Searches are carried out at several locations across Brazil.

Result: During the joint action day, 23 suspects are arrested – 18 in Brazil and 5 in Italy. These arrests enable the Italian and Brazilian authorities to disrupt the activities of the criminal network.

Eurojust's Role: Eurojust helps to set up a JIT in 2020, allowing authorities to exchange information in real time and plan the arrests and searches, which take place simultaneously in Brazil and Italy during the action day.