Russia relies on hacker gangs to launch disruptive attacks against Western infrastructure, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an international investigative journalism organization specializing in organized crime, indicated on June 3. “Russia makes agreements with different Russian cybercriminal groups [...], in exchange for leniency on certain crimes, if [ … ]
News
More Human Rights Abuses in Venezuela, NGOs warn
According to recent reports from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), human rights violations in Venezuela continued throughout 2021, resulting in a high number of victims, despite international scrutiny. “Police and service members caused the death, throughout the national territory, of 1,414 people between January and December 2021,” said Venezuelan human rights NGO [ … ]
Cyberattacks Threaten Security in Ecuador
Ecuador joins Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru among the Latin American countries hardest hit by cybercrime, and more specifically malware attacks. According to the latest Global Cybersecurity Index of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, Ecuador ranks 119th out of 182 countries for vulnerability to cyberattacks. [ … ]
Argentine Navy Strengthens Fleet to Combat Illegal Fishing
The Argentine Navy took delivery of the last of four ocean patrol vessels recently acquired to control illegal fishing on June 2, 2022. The ARA Contraalmirante Cordero ship joins surveillance and control tasks in the South Atlantic, to deter Chinese fishing fleets that trespass Argentina’s maritime boundaries to exploit its [ … ]
Brazilian Air Force Launches New Satellites to Monitor Environment and Illegal Activities
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) launched two new satellites, Carcará I and Carcará II, from Finnish satellite tech firm ICEYE, which use radar technology for ground surveillance and terrain observation. Images captured will be used to support the fight against narcotrafficking and illegal mining, as well as to determine river [ … ]
Trinidad and Tobago: Prioritizing the Fight Against Gang-Related Crimes
Trinidad and Tobago security forces are bracing themselves for a new wave of violence, while beefing up capabilities to combat crime, as gangs splinter and new leaders attempt to establish control. According to the country’s intelligence body’s latest security report, the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) 2021 Annual Report, released in [ … ]
115th Engineer Company Arrives in Guatemala, Participates in Operation Resolute Sentinel 22
Soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard’s 115th Engineer Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, recently arrived in Flores, Guatemala, to provide support to Operation Resolute Sentinel 22. Operation Resolute Sentinel is a multinational training opportunity that offers real-world benefits to the United States and partner nations, to include Guatemala, by promoting [ … ]
Chilean Army Participates in Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 22
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force co-hosted the annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2022 event, in Tokyo, Japan, June 13-16. For the first time since 2019, this event was held in person and brought together senior leaders from 18 participating delegations from across the [ … ]
UN Rights Chief Issues Blistering Report on Nicaragua
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has issued a blistering report on Nicaragua’s deteriorating human rights situation, which she said was spurring unprecedented numbers of people to flee to other countries. She presented her report June 16 to the U.N. Human Rights Council, where it remains under review. [ … ]
Fuerzas Comando 2022 Closing Ceremony
Fuerzas Comando 2022 closing ceremony was held at the Honduran military parade field in Campo Marte, June 24, 2022. Honduran President Xiomara Castro was the ceremony’s principal speaker, with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) International Affairs and Exercise Director Kevin Bostick as the honorary guest speaker. Colombia won the multinational Special [ … ]
US Navy Tests Unarmed Trident II Strategic Weapon System
The United States Navy launched an unarmed life-extended Trident II D5 missile (D5LE) from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) off the coast of southern California on June 17, 2022. The test launch was one of four conducted on June 15 and 17 as part of a [ … ]
Women Leaders at all Levels
For the first time, on June 15, at the headquarters of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), two women U.S. 4-star generals came together to discuss the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative on a panel of U.S. Department of Defense senior leaders. U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, SOUTHCOM commander; U.S. [ … ]