Tucán Royal: Colombia, France, US Strengthen Interoperability in Caribbean Sea

In mid-April, Colombia and France conducted binational operation Tucán Royal 2025 in the Caribbean Sea, reaffirming their commitment to international cooperation and regional maritime security. In this edition, the USS Normandy, a U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser, joined the exercise. (Photos: Colombian Navy)

Tucán Royal is part of a multinational strategy to combat narcotrafficking by sea and its related crimes through naval training operations and exercises. This cooperation enhances institutional capabilities and interoperability, to develop more effective operations against transnational threats. The Colombian Navy’s missile frigate ARC Almirante Padilla, with an embarked rotary-wing aircraft, participated in the 2025 edition.

A French Navy’s Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carrier (pictured), which can carry up to 16 helicopters and accommodate up to 450 service members, also joined Toucán Royal 2025, along with the La Fayette-class frigate Surcouf.

For four days, warships and naval air units of the Colombian Navy, the French National Navy, and the U.S. Navy, carried out maritime interdiction exercises, naval maneuvers, tactical communications, and naval air operations.