The United Nations’ workshop gathered officers with vast experience in peacekeeping missions to update the manual based on technological advancements. Service members from the Brazilian Armed Forces took part in the United Nations’ (UN) fourth workshop to revise the Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM) in Salvador, Brazil, November 5-9, 2018. The [ … ]
Combat Divers’ Group: The Brazilian Navy’s Elite Unit
The unit adapted to respond to national and international naval special operations. The Brazilian Navy’s (MB, in Portuguese) Combat Divers’ Group (GRUMEC, in Portuguese) was created in 1964, and gradually evolved while combining two different operational concepts: the U.S., based on beach obstacle demolition to support amphibious operations, and the [ … ]
WHINSEC Leads Interagency Crisis Action Planning course in Honduras
WHINSEC and Joint Task Force-Bravo worked together to teach a course on regional emergency response. Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) instructors partnered with representatives from Joint Task Force-Bravo and Honduran contingency organizations for an Interagency Crisis Action Planning course in Tegucigalpa, December 10-14, 2018. The subject matter exchange [ … ]
Peruvian Peace Corps Learns to Prevent Tropical Diseases
The Peruvian Armed Forces’ Joint Command’s new course presents strategies to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The Peruvian Armed Forces’ Joint Command (CCFFAA, in Spanish) concluded 2018 with the inauguration of a health education and prevention course for members of peacekeeping operations. The Tropical Diseases course, conducted with the [ … ]
Nicaraguan Crisis Favors Russian Military Interests
Russian interests in Latin America involve military expansion, and regional crises favor their intentions. Nicaragua’s instability since April 2018 isn’t coincidental. The Central American country was already an entry point for Russian interests in the Latin American region, as Daniel Ortega’s return to power in 2007 reactivated a close relationship [ … ]
Brazil, One Step Closer to First Nuclear-Powered Submarine
The Brazilian Navy launched the first of four conventional submarines into sea, as part of the Submarine Development Program. The Brazilian Navy is a step closer to having a nuclear-powered submarine. The Riachuelo, the first of four conventional submarines from the Submarine Development Program (PROSUB, in Portuguese), was launched into [ … ]
Central American Forces Receive Land Exploration Training
With their new skills, the units will be able to navigate in different terrains, including hard-to-reach locations, for defense and rescue operations. For almost a month, Central American security forces used their capabilities to explore various Panamanian terrains during a course the Panamanian National Border Service (SENAFRONT, in Spanish) taught. [ … ]
Honduras Augments Military Air Fleet
The United States donated three Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft to Honduras, as part of the continued cooperation program with the Central American country. The Honduran Air Force (FAH, in Spanish) strengthened its response capabilities for emergencies and the fight against narcotrafficking and organized crime with the addition of three Cessna [ … ]
Chilean, Peruvian Armies Prepare for Emergency Response
Exercise Army Understanding 2018 was the result of a long process of integration between the two institutions. The Chilean and Peruvian armies ended 2018 with a simulated humanitarian response exercise in the border area both countries share. Exercise Army Understanding 2018 (Concordia Ejército, in Spanish) gathered the 1st Armored Brigade [ … ]
Guatemalan Military Women Develop Diving Skills
The Guatemalan Navy seeks to motivate its female personnel with an exclusive course. At nearly 60 feet deep, Guatemalan Army First Lieutenant Ángela Waleska Werner Ruiz observes the silent underwater world in the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Algae swell and fish speedily disappear among the corals, as the officer discovers [ … ]
US Helps Dominican Air Force Increase Operational Capabilities
Dominican air squadrons improve capabilities with SOUTHCOM’s help. As part of ongoing cooperation between the U.S. and Dominican governments to provide disaster relief and counter international narcotrafficking, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) assisted the Dominican Air Force (FARD, in Spanish) throughout 2018. The cooperation included equipment donations, training, and combined exercises [ … ]
SOUTHCOM Hosts Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief Workshop
Partner nations discussed crisis response in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 70 delegates representing 17 nations met at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters December, 11-13, 2018, to focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief issues affecting Latin America and the Caribbean. The workshop, hosted by Chile at SOUTHCOM, [ … ]