A Conversation With

The Darién jungle “is not a migratory route,” warns Samira Gozaine, director of Panama’s National Migration Service (SNM). As such, raising awareness about the reality of migrants who cross the dangerous jungle between Colombia and Panama, exposing themselves to transnational drug and human trafficking networks, robbery, rape, and other crimes, [ … ]

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is hosting the 38th iteration of Caribbean-focused exercise Tradewinds 2023 (TW23), July 15-28. Twenty one countries and more than 1,500 service members are participating in TW23, training in the ground, air, and sea in various locations across Guyana, united under common values and to strengthen [ … ]

The Colombian Navy hosted UNITAS LXIV, the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise, in Cartagena, July 11-21, 2023. Twenty-six warships, three submarines, 25 aircraft (fixed wing and helicopters) and some 7,000 participants from 20 partner nations were present to conduct joint maritime training operations to enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability. [ … ]

The Chilean Navy and its ocean patrol vessel OPV-82 Toro participated in international exercise UNITAS LXIV, held in Cartagena, Colombia July 11-21. The U.S. Southern Command-led exercise brought together 20 countries from four continents, some 4,500 members of the armed forces, with 23 warships, three submarines, and 29 aircraft. UNITAS [ … ]

Two combat units and a total of 570 Peruvian sailors are representing the Peruvian Navy during the 64th edition of UNITAS, in Cartagena, Colombia, July 11-23, 2023. Peruvian Navy Captain Christian Ponce, commander of the B.A.P. Pisco, spoke with Diálogo about his country’s participation in UNITAS. Diálogo: How important it [ … ]

Brigadier Omar Khan is the 12th chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). With more than 30 years of professional military career, serving in various fields across the organization, including as director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency and as an officer within the infantry, training, intelligence, and maritime [ … ]

Nearly 1,700 participants from Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Panama, and the United Kingdom came together for the combined military interoperability and humanitarian assistance exercise Resolute Sentinel 2023 (RS23), from June through July, hosted by Peru. The participants’ focus is to achieve a joint and combined doctrine and interoperability [ … ]

Peru is hosting international military exercise Resolute Sentinel 2023 (RS23) for the first time. RS23, which runs from June to July, is a U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) exercise led by U.S. Air Forces Southern/12th Air Force. RS23 provides joint training and enhances the readiness of U.S. and partner nations’ civil [ … ]

The Bahamas offers a paradise for tourists with its white sandy shores, blue waters, fishing, and scuba diving among many activities, but it is also a transnational criminal organizations’ maritime haven for drugs and human trafficking, illegal fishing, and other related crimes. To counter those security threats, the Royal Bahamas [ … ]

Suriname combats violence and other criminal activities with different strategies at the operational and tactical level. Broadening security cooperation between the three Guianas and cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are part of the strategies Colonel Werner Guiseppe Kioe A Sen, commander of the Suriname Armed Forces (SAF), emphasizes to [ … ]

Defending Ecuador’s sovereignty, guaranteeing maritime protection, and supporting national maritime development are some of the primary tasks of Rear Admiral Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of Staff of the Ecuadorian Navy. Rear Adm. Vela, with 38 years of active military duty, spoke with Diálogo about the importance of national maritime [ … ]

Ecuador’s fishing industry is of great importance to the country’s economy. Ecuador has the largest tuna purse seiner fleet in the Eastern Pacific; it is the second largest canned tuna processor in the world, the world’s leading shrimp producer, and the leading exporter of swordfish to the United States. To [ … ]