On September 17, 2021, agents of the Paraguayan National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD, in Spanish) incinerated 36 tons of marijuana in Concepción department. “It was the largest drug incineration ever carried out in our country,” SENAD said in a statement. The previous record was in 2014, after the seizure of 26 [ … ]
Brazil: Federal Police Seizes More Than 10 Tons of Marijuana and Dismantles Group that Shipped Cocaine to Africa
On September 30, 2021, the Brazilian Federal Police (PF, in Portuguese) and Federal Highway Police (PRF, in Portuguese) intercepted a truck with more than 10 tons of marijuana in Santa Catarina state. The drug was hidden in a gravel cargo. “The suspicious vehicle was parked at a gas station on [ … ]
Argentina: Security Forces Seize More than 15 Tons of Marijuana in 3 Days
In only three days, Argentina’s security forces seized more than 15 tons of marijuana. On September 22, 2021, Naval Prefecture service members seized a shipment of nearly 4,000 kilograms of marijuana during an operation in Puerto Libertad, Misiones province. “The operation began when agents were carrying out surveillance in an [ … ]
Colombia, Panama, US Seize 2.4 Tons of Cocaine in Combined Operation
In mid-September, Colombia, Panama, and the United States seized 2.4 tons of cocaine during a combined operation off the island of San Andrés, in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. According to the Colombian Navy, this seizure is likely the largest carried out aboard a speedboat by components of the Navy’s [ … ]
US Helps Ecuador to Counter Common Threats
On September 14, 2021, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense signed a memorandum of understanding for timely information exchange to strengthen the fight against narcotrafficking and provide humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, and relief to victims in cases of disasters, the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador indicated. [ … ]
Russian Disinformation Thrives on Emotion
Russia’s disinformation campaigns are built on five “pillars” that work together to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda and sow division, according to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). By understanding how those pillars operate — especially the use of “proxy sources” — the United States and the West can counteract Russia’s tactics, [ … ]
UNITAS LXII, a Hemispheric Link
Naval forces from 20 countries took part in exercise UNITAS LXII, in Bahía Salinas, Peru, September 24-October 6, 2021. UNITAS took place during the celebrations of the Peruvian Navy’s bicentennial, and more than 32 vessels, four submarines, 26 aircraft, and 5,700 service members from different countries participated, U.S. Southern Command [ … ]
Captain Jose Pernia Hispanic Heritage Month Feature
Russia Takes Action in Nicaraguan IT Security
According to an agreement that the Nicaraguan National Assembly approved on September 7, 2021, Russia will help Nicaragua to “prevent, detect, and put an end to computer incidents, as well as to investigate crimes and criminal cases related to the use of information and communication technologies for terrorist and criminal [ … ]
Woman at the Command of C-130 Hercules for the First Time in the Colombian Air Force
On August 9, 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Silvana Díaz Bohórquez marked a milestone in the history of the Colombian Air Force, by becoming the first woman pilot-in-command of a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Lt. Col. Díaz, who has 22 years of military service, spoke with Diálogo about her achievements and her [ … ]
US Donates Search Boat, 15 Vehicles to Panama
In late September, the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Panama delivered a search and patrol boat and 15 vehicles to the Panamanian Ministry of Public Security to support the fight against transnational crime in Panamanian territory. The donation, valued at more than $1 million, will benefit [ … ]
China Creates Socio-environmental Conflicts in Latin America
From 2000 to 2021, China has caused community conflicts in Latin America, producing negative impacts on the environment by conducting extractive, energy, and infrastructure projects, the nongovernmental organizations Latinoamérica Sustentable (LAS, in Spanish) of Ecuador and the Asociación Ambiente y Sociedad of Colombia reported. Although China established guidelines to finance [ … ]