U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Colombia is the United States' “closest partner in Latin America,” and that he looks forward to strengthening their defense relationship even more. Esper welcomed Colombia's Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo to the Pentagon on February 7. Following the meeting, the two held a press [ … ]
Regional Cooperation Essential to Combatting Hezbollah Threat in Latin America
The III Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Ministerial Summit highlighted the need for countries of the region to work jointly to wipe out terrorist cells, especially those belonging to Lebanese movement Hezbollah and the Colombian guerrilla National Liberation Army (ELN, in Spanish). The countries signatories to the statement that resulted from the [ … ]
Beyond the Pale: Iranian Regime’s Pattern of Depravity
Ever since Islamic fundamentalists overthrew Iran’s government in 1979, the world has witnessed acts of aggression against other nations and peoples — and against the Iranian people themselves. From attacks on embassies — the very symbol of diplomacy and peaceful relations between nations — to hostage-taking, the murder of exiles [ … ]
China Does Not Want a Democratic-Dominated World Order
Latin American and Caribbean countries should force China to follow the rule of law to preserve the integrity of its institutions. Chinese involvement in Latin America is largely a result of China’s 21st century rise as a global economic and political power. China’s total trade with the region grew from [ … ]
Military Leaders Promote Human Rights in the Americas
Leaders of the armed forces and Defense ministries of Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, and the United States gathered for the Seminar on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law for Regional Experts, held on January 27-29 in Bogotá. The seminar, organized by U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Human Rights Office as part [ … ]
Nicaragua: Paramilitaries Spread Terror with Kidnappings
Nicaraguan paramilitary and vigilante groups carry out kidnappings and keep their victims locked in clandestine cells, Roberto Orozco, a Nicaraguan security and organized crime adviser, told Diálogo. They are the public face of repression. Their main goal is to send a message of fear throughout the population to protect the [ … ]
US Denounces Hezbollah Presence in Venezuela at Counterterrorism Summit
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo characterized as “unacceptable” the presence in Venezuela of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah, considered a terrorist group and Iran’s proxy, The head of U.S. diplomacy made the statement January 20 at the Third Western Hemisphere Counterterrorism Ministerial Summit, which brought together ministers from more [ … ]
First Woman to Lead Chilean Army Demining Company
Perhaps Chilean Army Captain Gabriela Valdivia had an atypical military career path: she said she didn’t have any close relatives in the Armed Forces, and her first vocation was astronomy. But her interest in judo, a sport she chose during her studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, in [ … ]
Colombian, Venezuelan Armed Groups Exercise Abusive Control at the Border, Says HRW
Colombian and Venezuelan armed groups exercise “abusive social control” on both sides of the border, in Colombia’s Arauca department and Venezuela’s Apure state, in collusion with Venezuelan authorities, said nongovernmental organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) on January 22. José Miguel Vivanco, HRW director for the Americas, denounced operations carried out [ … ]
JTF-Bravo Relevant, Regional Presence
January 10 interview with U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Alexander Aguilastratt, Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo) senior enlisted leader How would you describe the state of JTF-Bravo today? U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Alexander Aguilastratt, Joint Task Force Bravo: I would say, in one word: relevant. JTF-Bravo has been around [ … ]
Shaping Online Public Opinion, Maduro’s ‘Army of Trolls’
In early January, Twitter suspended dozens of accounts linked to the Nicolás Maduro regime citing “platform manipulations.” Maduro’s presidential office, the Bolivarian Armed Forces’ Strategic Operational Command, the Central Bank of Venezuela, including state oil company PDVSA, and other government agencies temporarily lost access to their accounts. In 2019, both [ … ]