ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D

Presidential Determination

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

This determination certifies that Brazil meets statutory criteria to receive U.S. assistance for aerial drug interdiction, finding that illicit drug trafficking poses an extraordinary threat to Brazil's national security and that Brazil has adequate procedures to protect innocent life during interdiction operations. The Secretary of State must publish the determination in the Federal Register and notify Congress.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 62953

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register filing date

Key directives

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

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Certification takes effect upon signing, enabling U.S. drug interdiction assistance to Brazil
  • Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register and notify Congress

Near term (90d)

  • Federal Register publication (filed October 21, 2013)

Long term

  • Ongoing U.S.-Brazil security cooperation framework for aerial drug interdiction operations

Risks & tensions

  • Use of force against aircraft in drug interdiction carries inherent risks of innocent loss of life despite certification requirements
  • Certification depends on U.S. assessment of Brazilian procedures, which may not be independently verifiable
  • Statutory framework (22 U.S.C. 2291-4) historically controversial due to shootdown incidents in Peru (2001)
Presidential Determination: Provision of U.S. Drug Interdiction Assistance to the Government of Brazil · Executive Orders