Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South) is recognized as the “gold standard” for interagency cooperation and intelligence fusion among U.S. agencies. Located at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida, JIATF-South is one of three U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) task forces in support of national and partner nations’ security. Its director, U.S. [ … ]
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Southern Vanguard 24, Advancing Brazil-US Partnership and Increasing Interoperability
In the Amazon Delta, Brazilian soldiers are training at the operational and tactical levels to increase interoperability alongside U.S. Army South and U.S. New York Army National Guard soldiers. They are taking part in Southern Vanguard 24, an annual U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) exercise, which is taking place November 1-12, [ … ]

ESMADE, Strategic Planning and Coordination
Interview of U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Diálogo magazine with Air Force General Rodolfo Daniel Pereyra Martínez, head of the Uruguayan Defense General Staff (ESMADE). Diálogo: What is the importance of the inauguration of the western naval base located on the banks of the Uruguay River, next to the General San [ … ]

Professionalization, Key to Paraguayan Army’s Success
The professional training of military personnel is the main task of the Paraguayan Army’s Military Institutes of Education Command (CIMEE). Its director, Major General Manuel Rodríguez Sosa, spoke with Diálogo about the institution and the military career plan to meet the needs of the Paraguayan Army. Diálogo: What is the [ … ]

Peruvian Armed Forces, Direct Offensive Against Security Threats
The Peruvian Armed Forces are committed to the defense and development of the nation. Guaranteeing the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the republic, commanding units to combat terrorism and illicit drug trafficking, illegal mining, and other crimes, as well as directing multisectoral civic campaigns and the participation of the [ … ]

Ecuador, Vigilant Against Crime
Drug trafficking is one of the greatest threats to Ecuador’s national security. To combat it, Ecuadorian Army Major General Nelson Proaño Rodríguez, head of the Armed Forces ‘Joint Command, designs strategies and carries out coordinated actions to confront crime. Maj. Gen. Proaño spoke with Diálogo about drug trafficking and the [ … ]

GALAPEX II Combats Illegal Fishing
The Ecuadorian Navy is committed to interoperability, maritime security, and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This is made possible thanks to multiple operations and training such as Multinational Maritime Authority Exercise GALAPEX II, held September 17-October 1, 2023, in the Galápagos Islands. Ecuadorian Navy Admiral Oscar [ … ]

CP23, Making a Difference in Four Partner Nations
U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) deployed in August and September to four nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing hope to hundreds of local citizens who, otherwise, would not have access to medical and dental care, among other benefits. This was made possible thanks to [ … ]

Operational Command: Key for Military Strategy
Brigadier General Jorge Fabián Berredo, operational commander of the Argentine Armed Forces’ Joint Chiefs of Staff, wants to transform the operational command into an active, diligent entity that strengthens the Joint Armed Forces Command. Brig. Gen. Berredo spoke with Diálogo about Antarctic campaigns, United Nations peacekeeping missions that include Argentine [ … ]

Interoperability, Daily Reality for the Colombian Military Forces
Colombia hosted the South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC) 2023 in Cartagena, Colombia, September 22-24. SOUTHDEC is a U.S. Southern Command- (SOUTHCOM) organized annual regional security forum aimed at fostering cooperative ties, examining challenges, sharing lessons learned, and enhancing security and defense cooperation. General Helder Fernán Giraldo Bonilla, commander general of [ … ]

SENNIAF Provides Protection for Migrant Children in the Darién
Graciela Isabel Mauad Ponce took over as head of Panama’s National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents, and the Family (SENNIAF) in May 2021. Since then, one of her tasks has been to attend to the situation of migrant children and adolescents who cross the thick Darién jungle on the border between [ … ]

SENAFRONT, Tirelessly Protecting Panama’s Borders
Guarding Panama’s land and river borders is the tireless task of the more than 6,000 men and women of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT). Their mission: to give no respite to transnational criminal organizations, criminal gangs, and flow of unauthorized migrants seeking to enter Panama. SENAFRONT’s new director, Commissioner Jorge [ … ]