Shield Campaign Curbs Human Trafficking in Darién Jungle
Panamanian security agencies came together under the Shield Campaign to counter transnational criminal organizations that commit crimes against the illegal migrant population that crosses the dangerous Colombia-Panama border. Commissioner Danis Villarreal, current deputy director of the Panamanian National Border Service (SENAFRONT), who at the time of his interview with Diálogo [ … ]
Building Resilience through Cooperation for Cybersecurity and Climate Change at SOUTHDEC 2023
“South America is critical to the Western Hemisphere — it’s so important! It’s importance surpasses the economic ties and the wealth of its natural resources… Yet, the entire region, to include South America is facing unparalleled threats in the cyber domain and from climate change,” said U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, [ … ]
Partnership with Costa Rica to Establish Cyber Security
The United States and Costa Rica announced August 21 a collaborative security initiative that will strengthen Costa Rica’s cyber defenses against threats from malicious actors. In San José, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, General Laura J. Richardson, announced a three-year, $9.8 million U.S. funded [ … ]
Chinese Investments in Brazil Create Unfair Competition
Brazil’s relationship with China and some of the trade agreements recently signed for Chinese companies to invest in the South American nation have set off alarm bells in industrial sectors, warning of unfair competition that harms the local market. In mid-April, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traveled to [ … ]
China Shows Interest in Transoceanic Rail Project in Honduras
China is showing interest in investing in the construction of a transoceanic train rail that will bridge the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Honduras. The proposed $20 billion train rail project, with an estimated 15-year construction timeline, is part of a broader initiative of trade and investment between both countries. [ … ]
Brazil Exposes and Dismantles Major Money Laundering Ring from International Narcotrafficking
The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) successfully dismantled a large money laundering network linked to international drug trafficking. Operation Bahamut, launched on July 12, led to the arrest of several people in the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. As part of Bahamut, [ … ]
SENAN at the Service of Panama and the World
The Panamanian National Air and Naval Service (SENAN) carries out naval and air operations to provide protection, surveillance, security, and defense of the country’s air and maritime jurisdictional areas. The SENAN has some 2,500 agents, 45 vessels, and some 40 aircraft. Commissioner Rafael Jurado, SENAN’s national director of Air and [ … ]
‘Narco Bananas,’ New Drug Trafficking Method
Ecuador and Colombia are making significant efforts to reduce the advances of narcotrafficking in their territories, increasing their focus on the banana industry, an important source of income for both nations. In a June 2023 investigation, Ecuador’s state-owned TC Televisión and the transnational media initiative CONNECTAS warned about the increase [ … ]
Brazil’s Criminal Groups Hamper Fight Against Illegal Mining in the Amazon
Brazil’s largest criminal groups, the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV), have been working together with illegal miners in the Amazon, hampering government efforts to eradicate mining and contributing to increased violence in Brazil’s Yanomami reservation, the largest indigenous territory in the world and home [ … ]
US and Costa Rica Present Together for Limón
U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica Cynthia Telles and Costa Rican Minister of Public Security Mario Zamora presented in early July the Together for Limón initiative, a joint U.S.-Costa Rican effort to bring greater prosperity and security to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Together for Limón reflects the U.S. commitment [ … ]
China and Cuba’s Plan for Military Base Threatens the Region
China and Cuba are in advanced negotiations for the construction of a joint military training facility, an infrastructure that would facilitate the presence of Chinese troops in Cuba on a permanent basis. A base for these purposes would be in addition to the spy bases that China allegedly has on [ … ]
