The Brazilian Navy acquired amphibious vehicles AAV7A1 under the framework of the 1986 agreement with the U.S. Navy. Twenty-three7A1 Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAV), of the Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN, in Portuguese), will be updated with new communications systems by May 2019. The U.S. vehicles arrived in Brazil in late 2018, [ … ]
Capacity Building
Peruvian Army Appoints First Female Colonels
The Peruvian Army promoted two female officers to the rank of colonel for the first time. Peruvian Army officers Lourdes Aurelia Barriga Abarca and María Magdalena Dibós Mori were promoted to the rank of colonel in October 2018, becoming the first women to hold that position. The officers belong to [ … ]
US Donation Strengthens Fight against Drugs in Panama
U.S. contributions reinforce operations of Panama’s security forces on the Colombian border. In early February, the U.S. government delivered a donation to Panama to strengthen its Public Force’s security operations. The donation, a hangar, equipment, and vehicles, will support units assigned to the Darién region, on the Colombian border. On [ … ]
Chilean, US Special Forces Strengthen Interoperability
Hundreds of service members took part in combined special operations to consolidate their response to regional threats. The United States and Chile formed a multinational force to combat a terrorist group whose actions destabilized peace and created insecurity in Latin America. Their units deployed air and land assets to swiftly [ … ]
Brazilian Navy Conducts Operation Aspirantex 2019
About 2,000 service members took part in a naval exercise at sea. Between January 11-31, 2019, the Brazilian Navy (MB, in Portuguese), conducted Operation Aspirantex 2019, in the maritime area between Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Montevideo, Uruguay. One objective of the exercise was to train Naval Academy cadets for [ … ]
Russia Turns to Cuba amid Crisis in Venezuela and Nicaragua
Moscow invests in the Cuban military to secure its strategic presence in the Caribbean Sea. In early February 2019, the Russian government approved a loan for Cuba to acquire new weapons, a decision that exposes Moscow’s renewed political and military interest in the island due to the humanitarian crisis in [ … ]
Colombia Celebrates Milestone in NCO Development
Colombia takes a step forward in professionalizing its NCO corps. Colombia’s Joint Special Operations Command (CCOE in Spanish) took a significant step in professionally developing its noncommissioned officer (NCO) corps. On March 4, 2019, a ceremony in Tolemaida, Colombia, inaugurated a course to bridge the gap between officer and NCO. [ … ]
U.S. Navy Doctors Join Brazilian Hospital Ship Mission along Amazon River
The U.S. and Brazilian doctors supported the medical mission for local populations. On February 4, 2019, Brazilian Navy Oswaldo Cruz-class hospital ship NAsH Carlos Chagas (U 19) departed Manaus, Brazil. Four U.S. Navy physicians embarked to work alongside their Brazilian Navy counterparts and deliver medical care to a series of [ … ]
Salvadoran Armed Force Promotes Inclusion of Women in its Ranks
More women join the military. The Salvadoran Armed Force (FAES, in Spanish) thrives at discovering female talent and has seen more women join and reach key positions in all its branches. Precision, determination, courage, and tenacity are the traits women officers, who perform daily in battalions and military units, share. [ … ]
Salvadoran Service Members Display Fighter Aircraft and Rescue Helicopters
The pilots participated in an aviation exhibition to show their abilities to combat emerging threats. With the support of the New Hampshire Air National Guard (NHANG), the Salvadoran Air Force (FAS, in Spanish) demonstrated its abilities to conduct humanitarian assistance, rescue, and counter narcotics operations during the Ilopango Air Show [ … ]
Brazil Close to Inaugurating New Antarctic Station
Following three years of construction, the new Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station is set for completion in March 2019. The Brazilian Navy (MB, in Portuguese) confirmed the March 2019 completion of the new Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF, in Portuguese). MB estimates that EACF will be in full operation by March [ … ]
Chile Emphasizes the Importance of Women in Peacekeeping Missions
The Chilean Joint Chiefs of Staff concluded 2018 with a course on gender perspectives in peacekeeping missions. Through the Joint Peacekeeping Operations Center (CECOPAC, in Spanish), the Chilean Joint Chiefs of Staff concluded 2018 with a course addressing the role of women in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. The international [ … ]