The Ibero-American Defense College Directors Conference (CDCDIA) is a forum that arose from the recognition of a shared cultural identity among Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries of the Americas and those of Europe’s Iberian Peninsula. As such, Portugal and Spain are part of the CDCDIA and sent representatives to this year’s [ … ]
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Maritime Protection Around the Clock
Protecting Honduran territorial waters in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is the mission of Captain Paulo Antonio Rodríguez, commander of the Honduran Naval Force (FNH). To fulfill his mission, Capt. Rodriguez works with his staff in strengthening his naval fleet, training, education, and joint interdiction operations. Capt. Rodríguez [ … ]

The Guatemalan Army’s Response to COVID-19: ‘A military Expression in Support of Other Expressions of National Power’
The Ibero-American Defense College Directors Conference is an interregional forum, which involves countries of Europe and the Americas to bring together educational establishments dedicated to national defense. This year, the event was held at the Brazilian War College in Rio de Janeiro, August 9-September 2. In 2023, the conference will be [ … ]

Honduran Armed Forces: Committed to Teamwork
Vice Admiral José Jorge Fortín Aguilar, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Honduran Armed Forces, is committed to focusing his country’s Armed Forces on teamwork, as one of the institutional branches resolute to combating criminal organizations and helping citizens in emergencies. Vice Adm. Fortín spoke with Diálogo [ … ]

PANAMAX 2022, the Importance of Defending a Critical Infrastructure for the Planet
Commissioner Adrián González Grossett, head of the Panama East Brigade, a component of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT), the branch of the Panamanian Public Force in charge of land operations nationwide, was among hiscountry’s representatives for multinational exercise PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo spoke with Commissioner González at the end of the [ … ]

Mexico, a Welcome ‘Foreigner’ in PANAMAX 2022
While Mexico falls under the purview of U.S. Northern Command, the country is quite often invited to take part in U.S. Southern Command-led meetings, conferences, and combined exercises. Such was the case for PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo spoke with Mexican Navy Captain Carlos Renán Ancona, an intelligence officer within the Mexican [ … ]

Professionalization of Honduran Armed Forces Based on Human Rights
Human rights and international humanitarian law are a priority for the Honduran Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA). Secretary of National Defense José Manuel Zelaya Rosales believes that the professionalization of the Honduran Armed Forces goes hand in hand with the respect for and protection of human rights and the full [ … ]

Jamaica, an Important Player in Cyber Defense at PANAMAX 2022
One of the focus points during PANAMAX 2022 was cyber defense. Jamaica Defence Force Major Kayson Gunzell was part of the cyber cell during the multinational exercise. Diálogo talked to the Jamaican officer about his role during PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo: Why is cyber defense such a hot topic at PANAMAX [ … ]

Argentina at the Forefront of Cyber Defense during PANAMAX 2022
Colonel Luis Guimpel is the Cyber Defense director for the Argentine Army and served as head of the cyber defense cell for the Multinational Force Command during PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo spoke with Col. Guimpel about his participation in this exercise that brought together 19 countries. Diálogo: In what capacity did [ … ]

PANAMAX 2022: Exercise to Test Interoperability Among Partner Nations
Major General Ricardo Stangher Quivira is the commander of the Chilean Army Logistics Division and currently serves as deputy commanding general of U.S. Army South, in San Antonio, Texas. During multinational exercise PANAMAX 2022, which was carried out, among other places, at Fort Sam Houston, headquarters of U.S. Army South, [ … ]

PANAMAX 2022, Countries Coming Together for a Common Cause
PANAMAX 2022 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, multinational annual exercise with the aim of strengthening partnerships, enhancing readiness, and improving interoperability between the United States and partner nations’ armed forces. U.S. Army South hosted a big partion of PANAMAX, carried out August 1-12. Diálogo spoke with U.S. Army Major General [ … ]

PANAMAX and the Importance of Strengthening Ties of Camaraderie, Fraternity, and Mutual Support
Brazilian Army Major General Rodrigo Ferraz Silva is the commander of the 12th Light Infantry Brigade (Airborne), which is a strategic brigade under the Brazilian Army Readiness Forces. In the multinational exercise PANAMAX 2022, Maj. Gen. Ferraz serves as the commander of the Combined Force Land Component Command or CFLCC. [ … ]