Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson Visits Brazil

Brasília, August 18, 2022: From August 15 to 18, U.S. Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) Brian E. Nelson visited Brasilia and São Paulo to discuss cooperation on countering illicit finance, particularly drug trafficking, terrorist financing, the challenges and opportunities posed by virtual assets, and environmental crimes. This was the first visit of an Under Secretary for TFI to Brazil. 

In Brasilia, Under Secretary Nelson met with Ministry of Justice’s Executive Secretary Antonio Lorenzo, and Federal Police Directors for Intelligence and Organized Crime. They discussed bilateral nationwide approaches with the federal government regarding illicit finance, as well as the global response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine and efforts to mitigate its spillover effects, including through a potential price cap on Russian oil to put downward pressure on global energy prices and restrict Putin’s revenue.  Nelson also held meetings with Brazilian Central Bank President Roberto Campos Neto, and Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs Secretary for the Americas Ambassador Michel Arslanian. 

While in São Paulo, Under Secretary Nelson met with Federal Police Director for Organized Crime Caio Pellim and Director for Intelligence & Counter Terrorism Alessandro Morett. During the meetings, they discussed anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing priorities as well as sanctions compliance, including the Treasury Department’s General Licenses for agricultural commodities and fertilizer. He also met with experts working to combat nature crimes, including the linkages between organized crime and perpetrators of environmental crime, such as illegal mineral extraction, logging, and others. Other meetings in Sao Paulo included with FEBRABAN to explore additional engagement with private sector actors and with the Public Ministry to discuss cooperation related to combating the criminal activities of  Primeiro Comando da Capital (a.k.a “PCC” or “First Capital Command). 

In 2021, the Treasury Department sanctioned the Brazil-based transnational criminal organization PCC under the Biden Administration’s Global Illicit Drug Trade Executive Order and continues to work closely with partners in the region to target the organized crime ecosystem. 

From August 15 to 18, U.S. Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) Brian E. Nelson visited Brasilia and São Paulo to discuss cooperation on countering illicit finance, particularly drug trafficking, terrorist financing, the challenges and opportunities posed by virtual assets, and environmental crimes. This was the first visit of an Under Secretary for TFI to Brazil.

In Brasilia, Under Secretary Nelson met with Ministry of Justice’s Executive Secretary Antonio Lorenzo, and Federal Police Directors for Intelligence and Organized Crime. They discussed bilateral nationwide approaches with the federal government regarding illicit finance, as well as the global response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine and efforts to mitigate its spillover effects, including through a potential price cap on Russian oil to put downward pressure on global energy prices and restrict Putin’s revenue. Nelson also held meetings with Brazilian Central Bank President Roberto Campos Neto, and Brazilian Ministry of External Affairs Secretary for the Americas Ambassador Michel Arslanian.

While in São Paulo, Under Secretary Nelson met with Federal Police Director for Organized Crime Caio Pellim and Director for Intelligence & Counter Terrorism Alessandro Morett. During the meetings, they discussed anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing priorities as well as sanctions compliance, including the Treasury Department’s General Licenses for agricultural commodities and fertilizer. He also met with experts working to combat nature crimes, including the linkages between organized crime and perpetrators of environmental crime, such as illegal mineral extraction, logging, and others. Other meetings in Sao Paulo included with FEBRABAN to explore additional engagement with private sector actors and with the Public Ministry to discuss cooperation related to combating the criminal activities of Primeiro Comando da Capital (a.k.a “PCC” or “First Capital Command).

In 2021, the Treasury Department sanctioned the Brazil-based transnational criminal organization PCC under the Biden Administration’s Global Illicit Drug Trade Executive Order and continues to work closely with partners in the region to target the organized crime ecosystem.