ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Determination

Provision of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Brazil

This presidential determination certifies that Brazil meets statutory requirements to receive U.S. assistance for aerial interdiction of suspected drug trafficking aircraft, finding that such interdiction is necessary due to drug trafficking threats and that Brazil has adequate procedures to protect innocent life. The Secretary of State must publish the determination in the Federal Register and notify Congress.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 65369

Impact dates

  1. Secretary of State publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Key directives

  • Certify Brazil meets requirements for U.S. drug interdiction assistance under 22 U.S.C. 2291-4
  • Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register
  • Secretary of State to notify Congress of this determination

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Certification takes effect upon signing, enabling U.S. drug interdiction assistance to Brazil

Near term (90d)

  • Secretary of State to publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Long term

  • Ongoing aerial interdiction operations in Brazilian airspace with U.S. support

Risks & tensions

  • Use of force against aircraft carries inherent risk of mistaken identity and civilian casualties despite certification requirements
  • Statutory framework requires presidential certification but provides limited transparency on verification of Brazil's warning procedures
  • Relatively routine statutory certification; low visibility but enables potentially lethal operations
Presidential Determination: Provision of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Brazil · Executive Orders