The Latin American Section was established as a partial successor to Special War Policies Unit (SWPU) on August 28, 1943.
The committee was created as an advisory body by Resolution XVII of the Third Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the American Republics, held at Rio de Janeiro in January 1942.
Miguel A. de Capriles, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, was assigned to the staff of the Liaison Officer for the United States.
The Committee for Political Defense attempted to establish a solid front of the Americas against common external dangers.
The Committee recommended ways that the Governments of the Americas, acting individually and as a group, could prevent invasions by Axis powers or their nationals, agents, or sympathizers.