The U.S. Army, in partnership with the Brazilian Army, are conducting Exercise Southern Vanguard 22, a combined military training exercise aimed at improving combined forces readiness, November 28–December 18. Southern Vanguard 22, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored annual exercise at the operational and tactical levels, aims to increase interoperability between U.S. [ … ]
Eighth Phase of Operation Orion Deals Another Hard Blow to Narcotrafficking
Security forces from more than 40 countries across Europe and the Western Hemisphere seized over 140 tons of cocaine in the eighth phase of Operation Orion, a multinational naval operation combatting drug trafficking, the Colombian Navy announced on November 29. This latest tally represents the highest amount of cocaine seized [ … ]
First Woman to Lead SOUTHCOM
With her swearing-in on October 29, 2021, U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson became the first woman to lead U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and only the third woman to lead one of the U.S. military’s 11 unified combatant commands. As commander, Gen. Richardson oversees U.S. military operations across South and Central America, [ … ]
The Paraguayan Navy, Relentless in the Fight Against Organized Crime
Diálogo visited the Paraguayan Navy’s facilities in Asunción and met with its commander, Admiral Carlos Dionisio Velázquez Moreno, to talk about the challenges and achievements of the institution responsible for safeguarding and defending the country’s water resources. Diálogo: What are the Paraguayan Navy’s main challenges? Admiral Carlos Dionisio Velázquez Moreno, [ … ]
Nicaragua’s elections: Neither free nor fair
Nicaragua’s government has thwarted democracy for its people with a sham presidential election and the imprisonment of journalists and opposition leaders. “What Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, orchestrated today was a pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic,” [ … ]
US Navy and Marine Officers Participate in Brazilian Exercise DRAGÃO
Marines and sailors from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet conducted multiple engagements with the Brazilian Navy and Marine Corps in support of the Brazilian Joint Exercise DRAGÃO October 29–November 5. DRAGÃO is a bi-annual joint Brazilian exercise focused on maritime security and [ … ]
Paraguayan Military Forces Face New Challenges
Air Force General Eladio Casimiro González Aguilar, commander of the Paraguayan Military Forces, met with Diálogo at his headquarters to discuss his goals and the unprecedented deployment of operational capabilities to support State institutions involved in the efforts to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Diálogo: What are your immediate [ … ]
Women Pave the Way at Paraguay’s Ministry of Defense
Since August 2018, a woman with an inclusive vision has been at the helm of the Paraguayan Vice Ministry of National Defense. It is Colonel (ret.) Gladys Pecci, who is committed to strengthening women’s empowerment programs in the Paraguayan Armed Forces. Col. Pecci met with Diálogo at her ministerial office [ … ]
Ecuador Seizes 6.9 Tons of Cocaine
Ecuadorian security forces seized 6,980 kilograms of cocaine in five operations, between October 28 and November 8, 2021. On November 8, the Ecuadorian Police (PE, in Spanish) confirmed the seizure of 1,000 kg of cocaine in Playa Murciélago, Manabí province, when authorities captured a speedboat 40 nautical miles off the [ … ]
Brazil: Police Seizes Nearly 10 Tons of Marijuana in a Single Day
On October 22, 2021, Brazilian security forces seized nearly 10 tons of marijuana in three operations. In the first, Federal Police (PF, in Portuguese) agents seized 5.5 tons of marijuana in a shed in the city of Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul state, on the border with Paraguay. “There [ … ]
Costa Rica Seizes 10.6 Tons of Drugs in Maritime Interdictions
Costa Rica’s National Coast Guard Service (SNG, in Spanish) and Ministry of Public Security (MSP, in Spanish) seized 6,809 kilograms of cocaine and 3,857 kg of marijuana in seven operations, November 1-8, 2021. The MSP confirmed via Twitter the seizure of 981 kg of cocaine in Matina, Limón province, on [ … ]
Colombia, Ecuador, US Seize More than 7.4 Tons of Cocaine
In four maritime operations in the Pacific Ocean, service members from Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States seized 7,410 kilograms of cocaine that criminals were transporting in three semisubmersibles and a speedboat, the Colombian Navy (ARC, in Spanish) indicated on November 4, 2021. In the first operation, Colombian service members [ … ]