The Jamaica Defence Force’s (JDF) investment in its counternarcotics capabilities paid significant dividends in late November 2021, when its newest unit, the 2nd District JDF Coast Guard, seized nearly 1 ton of cocaine in an operation off the island’s southern coast. The seizure is important because of the volume and [ … ]
Ecuador Fails to Solve Problems at Chinese-built Hydroelectric Plant Coca Codo Sinclair
Construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant in Ecuador’s Napo and Sucumbíos provinces began in July 2010. In November 2016, the plant began operations. It was expected to have a capacity of 1,500 megawatts, and forecast to export power to neighboring countries; however, as of December 17, 2021, it [ … ]
Carabineros, Chilean Navy Carry out Large Seizure of Marijuana
In early December 2021, the Chilean Ministry of the Interior and Public Security announced in a statement the seizure of 3,500 kilograms of creepy marijuana, described as the most important seizure in the country in the last two years. The seizure was made in the Valparaíso region under Operation Cerbero, [ … ]
Panama Seizes 10.5 Tons of Cocaine
The Panamanian National Air and Naval Service (SENAN, in Spanish), with the support of the Panamanian Regional Center of Aeronaval Operations, seized 9,381 kilograms of cocaine in five operations, November 22–December 8, 2021. On December 8, SENAN reported the seizure of 313 kg of cocaine off Saboga Island, in the [ … ]
Brazilian Armed Forces Support Humanitarian Relief Efforts in Bahia
Service members from the Brazilian Navy (MB, in Portuguese), Brazilian Army (EB, in Portuguese) and Brazilian Air Force (FAB, in Portuguese) are working in support of the state of emergency due to heavy rains that have been plaguing the south of Bahia state, in the country’s northeast region. More than [ … ]
US Donates Armored Vehicles to Colombia to Strengthen National Security
The United States, through U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), donated 20 M1117 armored security vehicles (ASVs) to Colombia, the first of a total of 145 that will be delivered in the first half of 2022. The vehicles, set to join the Colombian Army’s fleet, will contribute to strengthening national security and [ … ]
First Female Pilot Marks Milestone in the Chilean Navy
The Chilean Navy, created in 1817, has a female pilot in its ranks for the first time in its history. On October 14, 2021, Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniela Figueroa Scholz finished the Naval Aviation course at the top of her class, fit to fly the Pilatus PC-7. Lt. j.g. Figueroa [ … ]
Operation in Panama Captures 56 People Involved with Colombian Drug Trafficking Group
Panamanian authorities captured 56 people on charges of associating with the Clan del Golfo international criminal network, one of Colombia’s leading narcotrafficking organizations. According to the DW news site, the Clan del Golfo has a presence in 28 countries, with Panama as a gateway for Central American narcotrafficking. Among those [ … ]
Uruguay: Police Carries out Record Seizure of Marijuana
In late November 2021, the Uruguayan Ministry of the Interior reported that the Police of the Rivera department seized more than 1,500 kilograms of marijuana, a record seizure of this drug for the South American country. The seizure took place under Operation Ryguasu, which after months of investigations determined that [ … ]
Argentina: Naval Prefecture and Gendarmerie Seize 12.5 Tons of Marijuana
On November 15, 2021, the Argentine Naval Prefecture seized nearly 2,500 kilograms of marijuana in the city of Corpus, Misiones province. The operation began in the area known as Puerto Natural Revinski, located at kilometer 1664 on the Paraná River. There, authorities detected a vessel that was arriving on the [ … ]
Paraguay, Brazil Strengthen Fight Against Organized Crime
In late November, the Paraguayan National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD, in Spanish) and the Brazilian Federal Police (PF, in Portuguese) inaugurated the Strategic Intelligence Directorate Mbareté Base in Pedro Juan Caballero, Amambay department, on the border with Brazil, on a property that authorities had seized in a binational operation against narcotrafficking, [ … ]
US Donates Hospitals to Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The U.S. government, through U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP), donated four mobile hospitals for emergencies and natural disasters to Antigua and Barbuda and to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. On November 18, 2021, U.S. Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean Linda S. Taglialatela handed over two of the [ … ]