Iran’s Re-engagement with Latin America
This article was initially published in the Magazine Poder Terrestre y Seguridad Vol. 2 No. 4 (2023): October to December, of the Peruvian Army CEEP think tank Abstract The article presents the resumption of Iran’s relations with Latin America and the opportunities this offers for political and economic interaction. It [ … ]
Countries of the Hemisphere Face Illegal Air Traffic Challenge Together
Drug, arms, and human trafficking and cash smuggling are some of the crimes carried out in the skies that affect all nations. In order to learn about ways to deal with this type of trafficking and work in a more timely, effective, and forceful manner, Colombia hosted the first international [ … ]
Russia Seeks to Destabilize World Elections
Russia, through espionage, social networks, and state media, seeks to erode public confidence in the integrity of democratic elections in different parts of the world, with the aim of disrupting electoral processes. According to U.S. intelligence services, the Russian regime sought to undermine the legitimacy of at least 11 elections [ … ]
The Risks of China-Made High-Impact Infrastructure in Colombia PART I
The reach of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in major infrastructure projects in Colombia has increased considerably in recent years. The first line of the Bogotá Metro, the Regiotram commuter train, and the Mar 2 Highway are just some of the million-dollar contracts awarded to the Asian country. Projects [ … ]
In the Gray Zone: Iran’s Global Strategy
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has been considered one of the actors par excellence of the gray zone — a strategy which activities lie between peace and armed conflict, including economic manipulation, influence operations, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks, among many others, with the aim of thwarting, destabilizing, weakening, and [ … ]
Fentanyl Smuggling on the US Southern Border Has Grim Consequences
U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 2,700 pounds of fentanyl — enough to kill the entire U.S. population — in figures announced September 30, 2023, a grim outlook fashioned by the People’s Republic of China’s continued supply of materials used to make the dangerous drug. The U.S. Border Patrol said that [ … ]
Venezuelan Criminal Leader Escape Sparks International Manhunt
In the early morning hours of September 20, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro sent thousands of police officers and service members to the Judicial Prison of Aragua state. Better known as Tocorón, the prison, located 100 kilometers west of Caracas, has become the main center of operations of international mega-gang Tren de [ … ]
Western Hemisphere Armies Gather in Brazil for Commanders Conference
Senior army leaders from 21 Western Hemisphere nations gathered in the coastal city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2023 Conference of American Armies (CAA) Commanders Conference beginning on November 6. Brazil served as the host of this year’s conference as they concluded their role as the Permanent Executive [ … ]
The Evolution of Chinese Engagement with the Dominican Republic
This article was originally published in the Center for Strategic and International Studies on October 31, 2023. From September 24 to 28, the author traveled to Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, as a guest of Funglode, one of the country’s leading think tanks, to speak about security challenges in the [ … ]
Nicaragua Legalizes Political Persecution
The Daniel Ortega-Rosario Murillo regime sanctions judicial persecution to punish public officials and all those who dare to investigate corruption in Nicaragua. Such was one of the main conclusions of a report by the Center for Transdisciplinary Studies of Central America (CETCAM), a social research institute based in Costa Rica. [ … ]
Partnership Endures as Exercise Southern Vanguard 24 Comes to an End
As the final salute echoed through the air, the closing ceremony of Southern Vanguard 24 signified a note of triumph and unity. After almost three weeks of training, the U.S. and Brazilian armies stood together one final time in Oiapoque, Brazil, November 16. The ceremony not only celebrated the successful [ … ]
Guyana, Venezuela Essequibo Dispute Exacerbates
As the territorial dispute over the Essequibo intensifies, Guyana, is putting its foot down, rejecting negotiations with Venezuela. “The time for negotiation is over. There will be no need for talks with Nicolás Maduro,” Guyanese Prime Minister Mark Phillips said during an extraordinary session of the Guyanese Legislature in early [ … ]