Brazil and the United States have signed an agreement aimed at protecting global maritime trade from terrorism.
Brazil’s Secretary of the Federal Revenue, Antonio Deher Rachid, and U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, John Danilovich, Tuesday signed a declaration of principles in Brasília, the capital of Brazil.
The move means Brazil will take part in Washington’s Container Security Initiative, or CSI, which calls for cargo to be screened at port before it is shipped to the United States.
The program is designed to prevent terrorists from using the shipping containers to smuggle weapons.
Under the accord, Brazil’s southeastern port of Santos will become the first port in that country to participate in the program. Santos is South America’s largest port.
Earlier this month, Argentina signed the Container Security Initiative, becoming the first South American country to do so.
VOA