The Dominican Republic’s geographical position makes it very attractive for international tourism and one of the most visited destinations in the Caribbean. But tourism is not the only thing it attracts; the country is also a magnet for transnational criminal organizations that launder money and smuggle drugs, arms, and people. [ … ]
Since General Carlos Eduardo Bueno Vargas assumed command of the Colombian Air Force in July 2015, his goal has been quite specific: modernizing, strengthening, and preparing the Air Force for future challenges. Today, however, his priorities have expanded. In addition to seeking institutional transformation to increase effectiveness, the Air Force [ … ]
Providing air support during security actions is Captain Juan Luis Vargas Castillo’s primary responsibility – but not his only responsibility. As Director of Air Surveillance Service of the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security, he leads an office charged with protecting the country’s air, sea, and land territory in support [ … ]
Belize, located on the northeastern coast of Central America, wants to partner with its regional neighbors to defeat a common enemy: transnational organized crime. Just 290 km long and 110 km wide, Belize confronts some of the same security threats as Mexico and Guatemala, with whom it shares borders on [ … ]
Lieutenant General Mark D. Kelly assumed command over the 12th Air Force, Air Combat Command and Air Forces Southern (AFSOUTH), U.S. Southern Command at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, in Tucson, Arizona, in October 2016. As such, Lt. Gen. Kelly oversees seven active duty wings and one direct reporting unit for [ … ]
If you add the function of providing the same training to military and civilian personnel from defense industries across Latin America to that role, the task becomes even more daunting. But these roles have been gratifying for Colonel Herbert Jesús Viviano Carpio, director of the Center for International Humanitarian Law [ … ]
The concept of multidimensional security was the subject of the III International Symposium on Security and Defense, held by the Peruvian Navy in Lima from September 12–15. Rear Admiral Oscar Moreira da Silva Filho, who commands the Brazilian Navy’s Submarine Force, participated in the event and took part in the [ … ]
Transnational terrorism, regarded as a major threat to international security, is a very important issue on which we must reflect and seek appropriate responses and raise public awareness, which is a key element in the legitimacy of decision-making in democratic regimes. In this scenario, the role of the media has [ … ]
Networked threats in Latin America pose a danger to U.S. national security and erode stability in the region. Addressing these threats goes beyond stopping drug trafficking, the smuggling of weapons and other illicit goods and human trafficking, Navy Adm. Kurt W. Tidd told the Center for Strategic and International Studies [ … ]
During the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince in January 2010, then-Colonel Ajax Porto Pinheiro commanded the Brazilian Battalion (BRABAT), which is part of the military contingent for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Almost seven years later, Lieutenant General Ajax, currently MINUSTAH force commander, found himself literally in the [ … ]
The vessel 'ARC 7 de Agosto' arrived in Haiti on October 11th, after traveling 660 nautical miles for 50 hours from Cartagena, Colombia. Designed to carry out such operations as patrols, maritime traffic control, search and rescue missions, peacekeeping operations, and environmental control, the ship has a helicopter, rescue team, [ … ]
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) actively participates in overseas peacekeeping missions, assisting victims and conducting search and rescue missions whenever disaster befalls the nation. It also often assists in related activities in neighboring countries. General Alvani Adao da Silva assumed the position of head of Strategic Affairs of the Joint [ … ]
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