On October 30, Bolivia’s Special Force against Drug Trafficking (FELCN, in Spanish) seized 278 kilograms of cocaine base paste in two buildings in San Joaquín municipality, Beni department. “Authorities found a clandestine airstrip and a light aircraft,” Edwin Lobatón, commander of the FELCN’s Mobile Rural Patrol Unit, said in statements [ … ]
News
US Southern Command Unveils New Network Operations and Security Center
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has unveiled its newest warfighting asset, a $1.3 million Network Operations and Security Center (NOSC). The NOSC is designed to lead the command and control of network management and cybersecurity activities throughout the SOUTHCOM enterprise. In the perpetually contested domain of cyberspace, the NOSC will provide [ … ]
El Salvador Weakens MS-13, Barrio 18 Gangs
The Salvadoran authorities carried out simultaneous operations nationwide that resulted in the arrest of hundreds of gang members, on November 23-26, 2020. Among the detainees are 354 members of Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), 256 of Barrio 18, and 119 of other criminal groups. The criminals were arrested for homicide, extortion, rape, [ … ]
Stronger Together: USS William P. Lawrence Gets Second Opportunity to Train with Brazilian Navy
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) and BNS Brasil (U 27) executed a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Pacific Ocean, December 15, 2020. Brasil is a Brazilian training frigate with a crew size of approximately 450 personnel currently on their annual midshipmen-training cruise (MTC). Upon [ … ]
US Coast Guard, Brazil Navy Conduct Regional Engagements to Strengthen Partnership
On November 6, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Jacksonville held an arrival ceremony in Mayport, Florida, for the Brazilian training ship NE Brasil (U27), attended by the crews of USCGCs Maria Bray (WLM 562), Hammer (WLIC 75302), Tarpon (WPB 87310), and Heron (WPB 87344). USCG Captain Mark Vlaun, commanding officer [ … ]
29th Inter-American Naval Conference Is Carried Out Successfully
On November 23-24, the 29th edition of the Inter-American Naval Conference (IANC) was carried out virtually, bringing together 16 countries of the Americas, represented by their navies’ commanders, to facilitate the exchange of ideas and mutual understanding concerning maritime problems that affect the continent. For the fourth time, Chile hosted [ … ]
US Acting Defense Secretary Seeks to Strengthen Hemispheric Partnership
U.S. Acting Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller stressed the need to strengthen partnerships in the Western Hemisphere during the virtual Conference of the Defense Ministers of the Americas, which was held on December 3. The conference — hosted by Chile — marks 25 years of meetings. The ministers discussed the [ … ]
US-Funded Upgrades Bring Grenadian Coast Guard Fleet to Full Strength
December 16 marks the completion of the U.S. government’s yearlong $1 million upgrade of two nearshore intercept vessels of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) Coast Guard. The SAFE Boat Mid-Life Upgrade included a complete vessel overhaul, new engines, and a spare parts package to ensure continued operability. The upgrades [ … ]
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women, Peace, and Security Roundtable in Colombia
Advancing women’s roles in security institutions and decision-making is a foundational component of regional security. Both the United States and Colombia recognize this and are enhancing their military partnership to advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. During a visit to Colombia on December 14, U.S. Navy Admiral Craig [ … ]
Paraguay’s SENAD Seizes More than 10 Tons of Marijuana Bound for Argentina
On October 23, agents of the Paraguayan National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD, in Spanish) intercepted a truck carrying 10,039 kilograms of marijuana hidden in 449 packages. [caption id="attachment_42398" align="alignleft" width="300"] The marijuana packaging had a logo with the letters P.C.F. The Paraguayan Office of the Attorney General is investigating its origin. [ … ]
US, Colombian Armies Conclude Virtual PISAJ14
U.S. Army South concluded the first-ever virtual Senior Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) Integral Program (PISAJ) 14, which took place November 9-20, 2020. PISAJ is a U.S. Army South-hosted engagement between the U.S. and Colombian armies to further develop NCOs. This year, senior enlisted service members from Brazil and México were also [ … ]
NY Air Guard Senior Airman Graduates from Brazil’s Tough Jungle Warfare School
When U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel showed up to attend Brazil’s Jungle Warfare Training School in September 2020, he met special forces soldiers from Spain, Egypt, and Indonesia; paratroopers from Paraguay; amphibious infantrymen from Nigeria, and a Kaibil special operator from Guatemala whose motto is: “ If I [ … ]