The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has added a Bell 412EPI helicopter to its air fleet to improve response capabilities, thanks to agreements signed with the United States. The aircraft landed on March 13, 2021, at the Camp Ayanganna military base, in Georgetown, Guyana, with a crew of four officers: three [ … ]
US, Salvadoran Armies Renew Training Opportunities in Central America Following Staff Talks
U.S. Army South (ARSOUTH), on behalf of the Army’s chief of staff, conducted virtual staff talks with the Salvadoran Army on April 7 to promote readiness-focused bilateral efforts that enhance interoperability, contribute to the readiness of the total force, and improve U.S. Army and partner nations’ land forces capabilities, to [ … ]
British Captain Talks about His Role in the Partner Nation Military Advisors Program at SOUTHCOM
Royal Navy Captain Stephen Anderson is one of 11 foreign military advisors embedded at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) as part of the Partner Nations Military Advisor (PNMA) program. This program is designed to strengthen partnerships through increasing SOUTHCOM’s understanding of the region by adding perspectives from these advisors. A native [ … ]
CANSEC Unites the Caribbean to Confront Regional Challenges
“The Caribbean is a vital region for [U.S.] Southern Command [SOUTHCOM], for the U.S. government, and for the American people. We want to remain your trusted partner,” said U.S. Navy Admiral Craig S. Faller, SOUTHCOM commander, as he welcomed participants to the 2021 Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC), held in [ … ]
US Government Provides Critical Maritime and Tactical Equipment to the Belize Coast Guard
On March 25, the U.S. Embassy in Belize provided vital maritime and tactical equipment to the Belize Coast Guard. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Keith Gilges handed over six outboard engines, along with navigational equipment, maintenance tools, and 15 sets of night vision goggles to Belizean Minister of National Defence and Border Security [ … ]
US, Honduras, Costa Rica Train for Fires
Joint Task Force Bravo’s (JTF-Bravo) 612th Air Base Squadron hosted a new iteration of exercise CENTAM SMOKE at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, March 22-26, with the participation of 19 firefighters from Honduras and five from Costa Rica. The Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences exercise (CENTAM SMOKE) [ … ]
Russia Reaffirms Support for Venezuela with Signed Agreements
Russia strengthened its support for Nicolás Maduro by signing a dozen cooperation agreements on food, finance, energy, military, science, technology, and mining, on March 30, 2021. It also renewed its commitment to support the South American country in health matters, which would include increasing the supply of vaccines to combat [ … ]
Colombia Seizes More than 10.5 Tons of Drugs
In six operations, the Colombian Public Force seized more than 10.5 tons of drugs in various areas of the country. On March 11, 2021, the Navy and the Army, in coordination with the Police, seized 561 kilograms of marijuana that two individuals were transporting in a vessel on the Guapi [ … ]
DOD Officials Give Report on Women, Peace, and Security Compliance
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) program fits right into the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) breadbasket because “it is a tool for smart power,” U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Rebecca J. Sonkiss, the Joint Staff J5 deputy director for Counter Threats and International Cooperation said. Brig. Gen. Sonkiss was [ … ]
US Southern Command Delivered More than $400,000 in Humanitarian Aid to El Salvador since the Start of the Pandemic
The U.S. Embassy in San Salvador, through the Embassy’s Military Group, and thanks to the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), has provided $431,911 to support the needs of El Salvador during the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance has been delivered through 28 donations made from March 2020 [ … ]
Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic Join Efforts to Fight Narcotrafficking in the Caribbean
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are joining efforts to stop transnational criminal groups that attempt to move drugs to the United States or Europe on Caribbean waters. Between March 1 and 20, together they seized 2,723 kilograms of cocaine at different locations in their territorial seas. On March 14, [ … ]
Ecuadorian Navy Service Members Train with Colombian Counterparts
For the first time, 13 members of the Ecuadorian Navy are taking part in the Certified Tactical Planning in Naval Operations course at the Colombian Navy’s Almirante Padilla Naval Cadet School. Through May, the students, along with 12 Colombian counterparts, will receive training in planning and orientation in military operations, [ … ]