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 [ … ]
Royal Bahamas Defence Force Breaks Up Human Trafficking Ring Near Bimini
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) detained 17 Ecuadorian migrants and two alleged human traffickers in September 2023, as the armed forces of Caribbean nations continue to confront sources of regional instability caused by transnational criminal organizations. Recent political upheaval in Ecuador amid rising crime rates and cartel activity has [ … ]
Costa Rica’s 5G Network to Exclude China and Russia
Costa Rica is moving forward with preparations for its 5G spectrum auction, a year after a cyberattack caused chaos in its government computer systems. As a protective measure, the government approved a decree banning firms from countries that have not agreed to an international cybercrime convention, leaving tech companies from [ … ]
US Marine Corps and Brazilian Naval Infantry Strengthen Strategic Partnership
In a show of international cooperation and a commitment to enhancing military partnership and capabilities, the Brazilian Marine Corps recently hosted an annual planning conference with representatives from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South October 23-27. The Operational Naval Infantry Committee (ONIC) brought together senior leaders, planning officers, and enlisted members [ … ]
Iran Has an Eye for Antarctica
Four months after Iranian Navy warships undertook a trip that took them along the coasts of Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, among many other countries, its Naval chief announced plans to establish a base in Antarctica “for military and scientific purposes.” “Iran’s rapprochement with Latin America seeks to demonstrate that [ … ]
China under Scrutiny over Bogotá Metro Project
An ongoing investigation into alleged bribery of politicians has cast a shadow over the progress of the Bogotá Metro construction project in Colombia, led by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The uproar adds to a series of challenges facing the consortium with its international projects. “It is crucial for countries [ … ]