The inclusion of women in the Peruvian Army is a growing institutional trend. The military institution formally opened its doors to women in 1997, with the adoption of Law 26628 in 1996, allowing women to enter the Armed Forces’ training schools for officers and noncommissioned officers. Lieutenant Colonel Katherine Castillo [ … ]
A Conversation With
Peru Responds Forcefully to End Insurgency
Peruvian Minister of Defense José Luis Gavidia Arrascue took office on February 1, 2022. As minister, his focus is on managing, coordinating, executing, and evaluating his country’s security and defense policy. Diálogo visited the Ministry of Defense in Lima to talk with Minister Gavidia about his defense policy and progress [ … ]
Peru’s Military Advisor: United We Are Stronger to Combat Common Threats
Peruvian Army Colonel Sandor Gálvez is one of 11 partner nation military advisors (PNMA) at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Throughout his 30-year career, Col. Gálvez, who was born in Lima, has held command positions at various levels and brings a wealth of experience in the field of counterterrorism, most recently [ … ]
CECOPAC, Preparing Men and Women for World Peace Cooperation
Strolling through hallways and listening to students discuss peacekeeping missions or wandering in a classroom during an international humanitarian law lecture are part of daily life at Chile’s Joint Peacekeeping Operations Center (CECOPAC). Its students are members of the Chilean Armed Forces, Carabineros, Investigative Police, and civilians, who are preparing [ … ]
ESPE Continues at the Forefront of Higher Education in Ecuador 100 Years Later
The southern part of Quito, Ecuador, is home to the Armed Forces University, better known as ESPE. The school was originally established in 1922 as an engineering school for Army officers with a focus on military engineering. The school has gone through several changes since then, including the admission of [ … ]
Chile, US: Maintaining Ties of Friendship, Trust, and Interoperability
With 31 years of military service, Chilean Marine Corps Captain Daniel Opazo is one of 11 partner nation military advisors (PNMA) to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Throughout his career, Capt. Opazo has held command positions at the platoon, company, and rifle battalion levels in the Chilean Marine Corps. He also [ … ]
Human Capital, the Chilean Army’s Utmost Capability
Improving human capital, maintaining and increasing operational readiness, and strategic planning are the challenges General Javier Eduardo Iturriaga del Campo, commander of the Chilean Army, outlined as he assumed command on March 9, 2022. Gen. Iturriaga spoke with Diálogo about his vision of command, human capital, and institutional capabilities for [ … ]
For the Defense and Protection of the Environment
The defense of the environment and the preservation of natural resources is the primary role of the Brigade Against the Illegal Exploitation of Mineral Deposits. Its focus is to stop criminal organizations responsible for environmental destruction due to the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits to finance their illicit activities. Its [ … ]
Brazilian Air Force Female Aviator, Pioneer Air Operations Officer
Major Fernanda Kozlowski Görtz is a pioneer in the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). She graduated in 2006 from the first class of women at the Brazilian Air Force Academy (AFA) and is the first woman chief of Operations of the Special Flight Inspection Group (GEIV), a position she holds since [ … ]
USCG 7th District Commander Discusses Coast Guard Key Role in Western Hemisphere
As commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami, Florida, Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson is responsible for all Coast Guard operations in the southeast United States and the Caribbean Basin, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Seventh District encompasses an area [ … ]
Leadership and Experience Among Troops to Achieve Victory
Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in Colombia are highly regarded regionally for their professionalism and hard work. Their leadership and experience in managing troops come with the great responsibility of being the commander’s right-hand man. Diálogo had the opportunity to talk with Joint Command Sergeant Major Luis Alfredo Bueno Márquez, sergeant major [ … ]
More Security, Less Violence for Southeastern Colombia
Strategic military operations such as Sodom (2010) and Armageddon (2012) have earned Joint Task Force Omega national and international recognition. The force has some 8,000 troops from the Colombian Army, Navy, and Air Force to protect citizens and territory in the departments of Meta, Caquetá, and Guaviare from the criminal [ … ]