The Efficiency of SISFRON in Combating Crimes at the Border between Brazil and Paraguay

Abstract

The fight against transborder crimes is a central issue on the political agenda of South American countries. Although there are no rivalries that could trigger armed conflicts in the short term, South America is vulnerable to the actions of criminal organizations. The porosity of borders, poverty among most of the population, and the limited presence of state institutions at the borders favor the existence of these organizations and, consequently, illicit flows. On the border between Brazil and Paraguay, the availability of transportation and communication systems facilitates the trafficking of drugs and weapons, increasing regional violence rates. To intensify legal flows with Paraguay, Brazilian authorities developed a political and legal framework that resulted in the creation of the Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON). Remote sensing systems and information provided by SISFRON have increased drug and weapon seizures by interagency operations conducted in the Border Strip. Therefore, this system has been crucial not only in curbing transborder crimes but also in improving methods to combat criminal organizations operating at the borders.