Shield of the Americas Blacklists 24 Criminal Groups for Sanctions

The Shield of the Americas coalition, comprising fifteen member governments including the United States, Argentina, and Colombia, issued a joint statement on September 22 announcing sanctions against individuals or entities providing support to 24 criminal organizations operating in Latin America and the Caribbean. The statement calls for asset freezes, visa restrictions, and legal measures aimed at disrupting the financial networks of these groups.

The list includes notorious gangs such as MS13, Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel, and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), among others. Notably, all 24 organizations are already designated by the United States as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The coalition's actions reflect a broader strategy to combat organized crime through international cooperation and financial pressure.

The Shield of the Americas initiative was launched during President Donald Trump’s second term in an effort to address escalating drug trafficking and criminal activities across the region. Since September 2025, there have been numerous military operations by US forces targeting suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in over 200 deaths. This aggressive stance is part of a larger push towards more militarized approaches to crime fighting.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently indicated that the United States plans to extend these efforts onto land, signaling an intensification of military involvement against criminal organizations within affected countries. The coalition's latest move aims to complement these operations by targeting financial and logistical support networks crucial for the survival and expansion of these groups.

In a related development, Brazilian prosecutors have alleged this week that the First Capital Command (PCC), one of Brazil’s most powerful criminal syndicates, controls at least 12 out of the 22 companies operating São Paulo's public bus system. This revelation underscores how such organizations are increasingly diversifying their operations and infiltrating legitimate business sectors to launder money and enhance their operational capacity.

The sanctions imposed by the Shield of the Americas coalition mark a significant step in international efforts to combat organized crime, aiming to disrupt financial flows that sustain these criminal networks. However, critics argue that such measures may not be sufficient without addressing underlying socio-economic issues that contribute to the proliferation of gangs and cartels across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The decision by Brazil and Mexico to remain outside this coalition highlights ongoing challenges in regional cooperation against organized crime. These nations face unique domestic political considerations and may prefer alternative approaches to tackling criminal networks within their borders, despite the potential benefits of international collaboration.

As the Shield of the Americas continues its efforts, the effectiveness of these sanctions will be closely monitored by law enforcement agencies and policymakers alike. The coalition's actions are expected to set a precedent for future collaborative initiatives aimed at curbing the power and reach of transnational criminal organizations in the region.