On April 1, the United States announced enhanced counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea to combat the flow of illicit drugs into the U.S. by malign actors taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. President Donald Trump made the announcement together with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Joint Chiefs of Staff [ … ]
A Conversation With
Colombian Air Force Strengthens Strategies for Counternarcotics Operations
General Ramsés Rueda Rueda, commander of the Colombian Air Force (FAC, in Spanish), spoke with Diálogo during his visit to Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South) at the Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Diálogo: What has the evolution of FAC capabilities been like in the fight against narcotrafficking? General [ … ]
Jamaica Defence Force Aims to Reduce Violence in the Country
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has embarked on a multifaceted approach to change the culture of violence in the country. The plan includes providing more support for the police, restructuring the force, and increasing its members. The driving force behind this effort is Lieutenant General Rocky Ricardo Meade. The chief [ … ]
Enhancing the Culture of NCO professionalism at WHINSEC
Diálogo interviewed U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major José S. Lopez, Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), during his visit to U.S. Southern Command’s headquarters in Doral, Florida. Diálogo: Why is it important for the military forces of the Western Hemisphere to create the command sergeant major (CSM) role? U.S. [ … ]
WHINSEC, Educating Ethical Leaders of the Future
Diálogo spoke with U.S. Army Colonel John Dee Suggs, commandant of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), during his visit to U.S. Southern Command’s headquarters in Doral, Florida. Diálogo: The mission of WHINSEC is to be the premiere educational training institute in the Western Hemisphere for security and [ … ]
For Women of Jamaica Defence Force, Failure Is Not an Option
As the first and only female flag officer/general officer in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Commodore Antonette Wemyss-Gorman hopes to inspire women to follow in her footsteps. The child of a single mother, Cmdre. Wemyss-Gorman grew up with her grandparents in rural Jamaica, yet made the surprising choice of joining [ … ]
Blue Amazon Management System to Help Patrol the Brazilian Coast
The oil spill that affected more than 1,243 miles of the Brazilian coast in August 2019 called for a more robust monitoring system of the area known as Blue Amazon. The Brazilian Navy (MB, in Portuguese) named the vast 1.3-million-square-mile maritime space after the rainforest to raise public awareness about [ … ]
Operation Shelter, Two Years as a Model of Excellence for Other Countries
Launched in March 2018 in the state of Roraima, Operation Shelter seeks to welcome, shelter, and relocate immigrants who flee the Venezuelan crisis. The operation has become Venezuelans’ main gateway into Brazil. To mark the second anniversary of the most important civil-military engagement in the history of the Brazilian Armed [ … ]
Brazilian Navy Inaugurates Best Equipped Antarctic Research Base
The Brazilian Navy’s (MB, in Portuguese) Secretariat of the Interministerial Commission for Sea Resources celebrated 40 years in December 2019. Its mission includes promoting the sustainable exploration of living and non-living resources in Antarctica. Brazil is among the countries with a physical presence on the frozen continent. Its base, which [ … ]
Brazil Maintains Close Information Exchange Ties with Partner Nations
Brazilian Marine Corps Major General Paulo Sergio Castello Branco Tinoco Guimarães, deputy chief of Defense Intelligence, visited U.S. Southern Command the first week of December 2019 to outline the processes for collaboration and experience exchange in the Defense Intelligence sector of both countries. Maj. Gen. Tinoco also visited U.S. Special [ … ]
JTF-Bravo Relevant, Regional Presence
January 10 interview with U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Alexander Aguilastratt, Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo) senior enlisted leader How would you describe the state of JTF-Bravo today? U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Alexander Aguilastratt, Joint Task Force Bravo: I would say, in one word: relevant. JTF-Bravo has been around [ … ]
JTF-Bravo, a Dynamic Force For SOUTHCOM
January 10 interview with U.S. Army Colonel Steven Barry, Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo). How would you describe the state of JTF-Bravo today? U.S. Army Colonel Steven Barry, commander of Joint Task Force Bravo: Long-term, the task force has been here as an established organization for well over 30 years, [ … ]