Ecuador and US Fight Together Against Narcotrafficking and Organized Crime
Authorities from the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador donated $3.1 million to representatives of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces during a visit to El Coca, in the province of Orellana. “This handing over shows the collaboration in terms of security between Ecuador and the United States,” U.S. Air Force Colonel [ … ]
NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM Stand with Regional Partners to Combat Rising Chinese Influence
Much like footprints left on the white sand beaches of the Caribbean, the imprints made by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) can be found all over the region. But unlike the tracks of beachgoers, the Chinese presence is not so easily swept away. By using tools ranging from government [ … ]
Uruguay: Message in a Bottle Highlights Forced Labor in Chinese Fishing Fleet
In late June, a woman walking along a beach in Maldonado, Uruguay, found a bottle with a message written in some Asian language. Because the message ended with “SOS,” the woman understood that it was a call for help and took the bottle to the Piriápolis Prefecture, which launched an [ … ]
Fishing Activities of Chinese Fleet in South Atlantic Increases Eightfold
The fishing effort (fishing hours per vessel in a given period) of the Chinese fleet in the South Atlantic has increased eightfold in the last 10 years. Such was one of the findings of Argentine environmental organization Círculo de Políticas Ambientales (CPA) based on satellite data from the Global Fishing [ … ]
Iran Seeks to Increase Footprint in Bolivia with Drones
In an attempt to expand its influence in Latin America, Iran is strengthening its push for power through strategic agreements, such as the recent security and defense cooperation treaty signed with Bolivia, which poses a risk to peace and stability in the region, security experts say. The treaty, signed on [ … ]
China Shies Away from Coalition Against Synthetic Drugs
The fight against the synthetic drugs that are wreaking havoc around the world is entering a new chapter. Some 90 countries are now part of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. China plays a leading role in the sale of precursors used in the commercial manufacture of these [ … ]
Interoperability, Daily Reality for the Colombian Military Forces
Colombia hosted the South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC) 2023 in Cartagena, Colombia, September 22-24. SOUTHDEC is a U.S. Southern Command- (SOUTHCOM) organized annual regional security forum aimed at fostering cooperative ties, examining challenges, sharing lessons learned, and enhancing security and defense cooperation. General Helder Fernán Giraldo Bonilla, commander general of [ … ]
NY Air Guardsmen Conduct Combat Search and Rescue Training in Brazil
One hundred New York National Guard airmen spent August 16-27 in Campo Grande, Brazil conducting combat search and rescue exercises with their Brazilian Air Force counterparts. The airmen, most of whom are assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing, conducted missions simulating the recovery of downed aircrew, conducted aerial refueling of [ … ]
US Marines Participate in Brazilian Marine Corps Exercise Formosa
Not far from the capital of Brazil lies a Brazilian Marine Corps Expeditionary Base. Among the arid red-sand landscape, the Brazilian Marine Corps embarked on the much-anticipated Exercise Formosa in a display of military prowess. The exercise underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing global security challenges and [ … ]
Sergeant Major Rafael Rodriguez assumes duties as US Southern Command’s Senior Enlisted Leader
U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Rafael Rodriguez assumed duties as US. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) senior enlisted leader on September 6, relieving outgoing U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Benjamin Jones, during a change of responsibility ceremony at SOUTHCOM’s headquarters. Sgt. Maj. Rodriguez, previously served as the sergeant major for the Manpower [ … ]
USNS Burlington Arrives in Trinidad and Tobago
The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on September 2, marking the third stop throughout the course of the Continuing Promise 2023 (CP23) mission. The Burlington was previously in Santa Marta, Colombia in support of CP23. Burlington is an [ … ]
SENNIAF Provides Protection for Migrant Children in the Darién
Graciela Isabel Mauad Ponce took over as head of Panama’s National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents, and the Family (SENNIAF) in May 2021. Since then, one of her tasks has been to attend to the situation of migrant children and adolescents who cross the thick Darién jungle on the border between [ … ]
