Throughout the forum, participants examined landmark cases, including Paraguay's Operation A Ultranza and Brazil's Operation Turfe, to analyze the structure and operations of cross-border organized crime networks. Sessions highlighted Paraguay's progress in establishing specialized criminal justice institutions to address economic crimes, money laundering, organized crime, and terrorism. International experts from the United Nations Counterterrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Organization of American States' Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (OAS/CICTE) shared global best practices on combating terrorism financing and improving cross-border investigative cooperation.
In this context, the forum also presented updated security and protection protocols for prosecutors facing threats from criminal organizations, reaffirming the region's commitment to safeguarding justice sector professionals. The forum emphasized that effectively combating transnational crime depends on strong and coordinated international cooperation. Organized criminal groups exploit jurisdictional and regulatory disparities; therefore, direct communication, intelligence sharing, and the establishment of Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) are vital. Speakers stressed that a culture of practical, operational cooperation among prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, and financial authorities is indispensable beyond formal agreements.
A key feature of the event was a panel of international prosecutors, who discussed the challenges of conducting large-scale transnational investigations. Representatives from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay shared insights on gathering evidence across jurisdictions, dismantling transnational criminal networks, and the importance of specialized investigative units. Their dialogue underscored how coordinated action and mutual trust between prosecutorial offices are essential to disrupting complex criminal structures.
Building on these discussions, a dedicated panel on terrorism addressed emerging threats in the region, with a focus on how terrorist groups finance their activities through illicit trade, smuggling, and money laundering. Experts from the United Nations and the OAS highlighted the urgency of updating legislative frameworks, enhancing financial intelligence capabilities, and strengthening early detection mechanisms. The session emphasized that an effective counterterrorism strategy requires strong legal instruments, advanced technology, and regional intelligence integration to prevent attacks and dismantle networks proactively.
Together, these panels set the stage for the broader impact of the event. This forum served as a pivotal platform for knowledge exchange, alliance-building, and the promotion of joint investigative efforts. It represented a significant milestone in advancing the coordinated work of the Ibero-American Association of Public Prosecutors members and reaffirmed Paraguay's leadership in fostering dialogue, innovation, and practical cooperation in the fight against organized crime and terrorism.
