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 [ … ]
A Conversation With


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 [ … ]

CONAT, Elite Force Against Narcotrafficking
Colombia has a new military command to confront narcotrafficking and transnational threats — the Command Against Drug Trafficking and Transnational Threats (CONAT, in Spanish). Diálogo had the opportunity to visit CONAT’s facilities to talk with its commander, Colombian Army Brigadier General Walther Adrián Giraldo Jiménez, and to learn about the [ … ]

USSPACECOM Commander Driving Toward Full Operational Capacity
U.S. Army General James Dickinson, commander of U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) is committed to several lines of effort as the command drives toward full operational capability, including strengthening relationships, attracting new partners, and building and maintaining a competitive advantage. Gen. Dickinson spoke with Diálogo about his partnership with nations within [ … ]

Colombian Navy, Reputation and International Positioning
Protecting two seas, nine maritime borders, and confronting Colombia’s internal and external threats are Colombian Navy Commander Admiral Gabriel Alfonso Pérez Garcés’ main tasks. This is possible, he says in conversation with Diálogo, thanks to the personnel’s high level of professionalism, the institution’s national and international prestige, its technological means, [ … ]

The Inter-American Defense College Turns 60
The Inter-American Defense College (IADC) is turning 60 this year. To celebrate the date, Diálogo visited the educational institution, located at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., to talk to its director, U.S. Army National Guard Major General James Taylor. Diálogo: How relevant is IADC today? U.S. Army National Guard Major [ … ]

First Woman Takes Command of Brazilian Air Force Operational Squadron
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB, in Portuguese) has a woman at the command of an operational unit for the first time. On January 26, 2022, Brazilian Air Force Major Márcia Regina Cardoso assumed command of the First Communications and Control Group’s First Squadron (1º/1º GCC, in Portuguese), based at Santa [ … ]