Defense Ministers Convene in Peru as US Labels Brazilian Gangs Terrorists

The 17th Conference of Ministers of Defense of the Americas opened on Wednesday in Cusco, Peru, bringing together 33 delegations from across the hemisphere. Peru's defense minister Amadeo Flores inaugurated the summit under the motto “America that unites is a defense that advances,” urging cooperation on strategic resilience, human security, disaster‑risk management, talent development, institutional transformation and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Bilateral meetings are scheduled among participating countries, including Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and the United States.

During the conference, Brazil’s defense minister José Múcio Monteiro is set to meet with U.S. Deputy Secretary of War Elbridge A. Colby. The talks will focus on the United States’ recent designation of Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as terrorist organizations, a move that has raised concerns in Brazil’s foreign ministry about possible U.S. interference while the defense ministry downplays any immediate military risk. The meeting aims to ease tensions and seek a collaborative security approach among the American nations.