LatinNews Daily - 20 November 2025

*Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has criticised a bill that proposes measures to combat organised crime, which passed the lower house on 18 November. He specifically expressed concern over sections of the bill proposing new rules for the distribution of assets seized during police operations, warning that the changes could reduce the resources allocated for the Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB), the national revenue and customs authority. Currently any contraband or goods of illicit origin that is confiscated by police or RFB agents can be liquidated and the cash can be transferred to various federal financing mechanisms, such as the national anti-drugs fund (Funad) and the federal police equipment and operations fund (Funapol). Federal institutions such as the RFB can draw funds from the Funad to cover the costs of their operations against money laundering and other financial crimes. However, the anti-gang bill in its current form proposes measures that effectively reduce the amount of seized assets transferred to the Funad and Funapol. Haddad said that the bill “financially asphyxiates” the institutions that investigate fraud and financial crimes and handle border security, such as the RFB and federal police (PF). 

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