On July 12, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza held a prison meeting with leaders of El Salvador’s feared gangs, who promised him “partial disarmament” as a “gesture” in the context of an unprecedented truce they began four months ago.
Colombia’s Flamboyant Drug Dealer ‘Fritanga’ Arrested at Drunken Party
Learning from the mistakes of the high-flying Pablo Escobar, Colombian drug smugglers these days usually go low-profile: Levi’s instead of Armani suits, Toyotas rather than Ferraris, commercial flights in lieu of private jets.
Alleged Los Zetas Operative Captured in Honduras
Is Los Zetas expanding its operations in Honduras? Police and army soldiers in Honduras raided a house in Tegucigalpa last month, detaining Arístides Cruz, 40, an alleged member of the transnational criminal organization.
Brazil’s Seleção eyes first Olympic gold
Coach Mano Menezes leads Brazil’s national soccer team as it competes for the one title it has yet to win.
Uruguay and U.S. Military Build Bonds through Training Exchange
In support of Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) attached to Naval Special Warfare Group 4 (NSW4), participated in a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) event in Uruguay May 15 to June 15.
Peruvian Air Force Develops High-Tech Air Surveillance Radar
With the objective of improving airspace surveillance capabilities over the Peruvian Amazon, Peruvian Air Force (FAP) technical personnel are in the midst of developing the prototype of a high-tech air surveillance radar that will be ready to be put into operational service at the end of this year.
Cocaine Discovered in France in Container of Chilean Seafood
A shipment of around 21.6 kg of cocaine, worth 1.3 million euros, was discovered in the port of Le Havre (in northern France), in a container of frozen mussels from Chile, the French customs service announced on July 12.
Colombia Increases Military Presence Targeting the FARC
Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzón announced that Government forces will not lessen their efforts and operations to take the areas used as a base by the FARC in the department of Cauca, resulting in the latest terrorist attacks targeting the population, which he characterized as barbaric.
New drug tunnels found under US-Mexico border
A Policewoman Heads Pacification of Rio de Janeiro Shantytowns
Kidnapped and tortured in a shantytown five years ago, young military police officer Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo is currently coordinating the new police units that have arrived in dozens of poor Rio de Janeiro neighborhoods following decades of control by drug traffickers.
Paraguayan Military and Police Provide Free Medical Care with U.S. Assistance
With the advice and assistance of Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) Civil Affairs planners, Paraguayan Military Civil Affairs soldiers teamed up with Paraguayan National Police units to provide medical attention and education to rural Paraguayans June 2-3. With the advice and assistance of Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) Civil Affairs [ … ]
One Child Dead and Four Wounded in Motorcycle-Bomb Attack in Colombia
A seven-year-old boy died and four other children were wounded in the explosion of a motorcycle bomb in a remote rural locality of the department of Cauca, in southwestern Colombia, local authorities announced.