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Chile marked a major milestone in late 2025 with the inauguration of its first National Space Center (CEN). The facility is designed to strengthen the country’s satellite and space support capabilities in the coming years and advance the development of its own systems in a field critical to national security and territorial management. This new step positions the country among…
Latin American criminal networks are consolidating power through the strategic application of artificial intelligence (AI), a shift profoundly transforming their activities and increasing their profitability. This evolution represents more than a simple adoption of new tools for illicit purposes; it signifies a structural metamorphosis. Operating within an increasingly automated, fragmented digital ecosystem where direct personal interaction is no longer required,…
This article was originally published on U.S. Space Command magazine Apogee, on March 4, 2026. In the predawn darkness before Operation Epic Fury burst into public view, the first blows against Iran were struck by forces orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth. What unfolded, before the obliteration of hundreds of targets, Pentagon officials say, was the onset of major…
The U.S. Space Force and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTCHOM) officially marked the activation of Space Forces Southern (SPACEFOR-SOUTH) during a ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, January 21, 2026, formalizing the command’s role in integrating space capabilities across the Western Hemisphere. Although SPACEFOR-SOUTH became operational on December 1, 2025, the ceremony formally recognized the activation with the assumption of command…
China is relentlessly flooding Latin America with its commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — commonly known as drones. In Brazil, the region’s largest market, the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) has registered more than 133,000 such aircraft as of late November 2025. Of this total, the vast majority, over 113,000, are manufactured by Shenzhen Da Jiang Innovations Science and Technology…
Exploiting vulnerabilities in satellite communications has opened a critical new front in the transnational conflict. Highly militarized and technologically organized groups, such as Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) and Sinaloa cartels, are positioned to take advantage of the lack of encryption in Geostationary (GEO) satellite links. That vulnerability could allow them to obtain operational information from security forces, potentially allowing…
Drug-related violence in Mexico has reached an unprecedented turning point. On October 15, 2025, a coordinated drone attack struck the Baja California Attorney General’s Office in Tijuana. These drones, loaded with improvised explosives — shrapnel, metal fragments, and ball bearings — signaled a paradigm shift in the conflict between the state and organized crime. The use of sophisticated, remote-operated devices…
Latin America has experienced a notable increase in cyberattacks attributed to groups backed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), highlighting a growing and persistent threat to the region’s digital infrastructure. According to the 2025 Latin America Threat Landscape Report by cybersecurity technology company CrowdStrike, in 2024, CCP-linked operations increased by 150 percent compared to the previous year. Among the groups…
This article was first published in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s magazine FORUM on September 24, 2025. China has established a military branch to protect and enhance information dissemination while also collecting and assessing potential adversaries’ intelligence. The Information Support Force (ISF) is China’s attempt to integrate and operationalize big data into its warfighting strategy. Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary…
The Caribbean region is accelerating its efforts to counter the growing cyber threats impacting its digital environment. This comprehensive strengthening includes updating national and regional strategies, establishing incident response teams, and enhancing intelligence sharing to coordinate actions against major digital incidents, while actively promoting widespread digital literacy. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has prioritized cybersecurity and digital literacy, recognizing the profound…
Army General César Augusto Moreno Landaira, commander of the Paraguayan Military Forces, assumed the nation’s highest military leadership post in late 2023. As a seasoned career officer, he has been tasked with spearheading the essential modernization and professionalization of Paraguay’s armed services amid a dynamic and complex regional security environment. Diálogo had the opportunity to speak with Gen. Moreno during…
This article was originally published by the U.S. Northern Command magazine, The Watch, on July 24, 2025. Governments and societies worldwide have become increasingly dependent on algorithms with autonomous intelligent machines facilitating daily tasks and decisions previously made by humans. Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow exponentially, bringing innumerable advantages for large-scale information gathering. It learns from itself by continuously…
