The Suriname National Army wants to work closely with partner nations to counter security challenges. Colonel Henri Van Axeldongen, commander of the Suriname National Army, gave a clear message to Caribbean security and defense leaders: Suriname wants to cooperate and work together with regional partners to defeat criminal networks. Col. [ … ]
Panamanian President Meets With SOUTHCOM, Interagency Leadership
The Panamanian leader and SOUTHCOM’s leadership met for the first time. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela visited the Joint Interagency Task Force – South (JIATF South) in Key West, Florida, on January 4, to meet with U.S. Navy Admiral Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and other SOUTHCOM [ … ]
Colombia Neutralizes Wanted Criminal
The Colombian Armed Forces neutralized criminal alias Guacho in a combined and interagency operation in Tumaco. On December 21, 2018, the Colombian Armed Forces neutralized Walter Patricio Arízala, alias Guacho, head of the remnant organized armed group known as Oliver Sinisterra. Guacho was considered the main terrorist and narcotrafficker in [ … ]
Colombia Weakens Clan del Golfo Substructure
Joint intelligence work led to the capture of members of the organized armed group. In late November 2018, units of the Colombian Navy carried out a joint operation with the National Police that resulted in the capture of members of the Clan del Golfo in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. [ … ]
US Donates Armored Vehicles to Brazilian Army
Thanks to a 2012 contract between the U.S. government and the Brazilian Army, Brazil’s ground force concluded 2018 with 60 howitzers and 40 new field artillery ammunition support vehicles in its fleet. About 20 years ago, the Brazilian Army (EB, in Portuguese) began operations with its first M109 howitzer version [ … ]
Honduran Naval Force Deals Blow to Narcotrafficking in 2018
The Honduran Armed Forces’ naval shield wrapped up 2018 with the largest seizure of the year. In a naval operation conducted on November 22, 2018, the Honduran Naval Force (FNH, in Spanish) seized half a ton of illicit drugs in the Honduran Caribbean. The Honduran National Police Anti-drug Directorate assisted [ … ]
Chilean Naval Elements Support USNS Comfort Mission
Chilean officers were part of the international team aboard the hospital ship. Three units of the Chilean Navy joined the hospital ship USNS Comfort’s crew to support U.S. Southern Command-sponsored humanitarian mission Enduring Promise 2018. The Chilean military came aboard the medical campaign on the second half of the boat’s [ … ]
Peruvian Army Ready for Cyberattacks
The Peruvian institution has a brand new Cyberdefense Command. In late 2018, the Peruvian Army inaugurated its Cyberdefense Command at the Army Headquarters of Lima. The modern installations count with technology and cutting-edge computer systems, in addition to highly trained units in cyberspace monitoring and security. The objective of the [ … ]
Argentina and Chile Strengthen Disaster Response
Two exercises conducted simultaneously increased regional cooperation and integration between the two armed forces. In mid-November 2018, the Argentine and Chilean armed forces conducted two joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercises. The tabletop exercises took place simultaneously in both countries, November 12-16. Exercise Solidarity 2018 was conducted at the Chilean [ … ]
The Colombian Navy Shares Lessons with Honduras
The training strengthens the Honduran Naval Force’s operational readiness. Units of the Honduran Naval Force benefited from a three-month training course from two Colombian Navy officers. Lieutenant Andrés Bayona Parra and Colombian Marine Corps First Sergeant Jorge Mario Valencia Taborda shared their knowledge with Honduran students at the Naval Training [ … ]
Peruvian Army’s 1st Special Forces Brigade Fights Terrorism and Narcotrafficking
Peruvian Army Brigadier General Hugo Antonio Molina Carazas spoke with Diálogo about the structure and challenges of one of Peru’s main elite forces. Operation Chavín de Huántar has been considered one of the most successful military rescue operations in modern times. The government of Peru carried out the operation in [ … ]
NATO Revises Defense Codification System in Colombia
The system was consolidated as a tool for transparency, inventory control, and stronger interoperability for NATO member armed forces. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) hosted the 14th Meeting for Users of the Defense Codification System (SICAD, in Spanish) in Colombia, November 6-7, 2018. The meeting allowed countries that share [ … ]