China began assembling the antenna of the China-Argentina Radio Telescope (CART) at the El Leoncito Astronomical Complex in Argentina’s San Juan province on November 23, 2023, generating concerns among experts despite its importance as the largest radio telescope in South America. With 20 percent progress, the radio telescope, which will [ … ]
News
Colombian Submarine Put to the Test in International Training
The Colombian Navy’s 209-class submarine ARC Pijao returned to Cartagena in early December after a successful participation in the 2023 Diesel-Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI), an anti-submarine warfare exercise conducted with countries of the region in waters off the east coast of the United States. The DESI initiative, spearheaded by the [ … ]
Hitwomen on the Rise in Latin American Cartels
Drug trafficking in Latin America is undergoing a significant transformation: an increasing number of women are taking on leadership roles in drug cartels. This change reflects a considerable strengthening of these organizations, the Los Angeles Times reported. “This rise has to do with how we perceive the role of women [ … ]
Costa Rica Strengthens Fight Against Organized Crime
Costa Rica is facing an unprecedented wave of violence due to disputes between drug gangs that use its territory to transit, store, produce, and sell drugs, Voice of America reported. To curb crime these groups bring about, the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Security launched the National Public Security Policy [ … ]
Artificial Intelligence and the Threat to Cybersecurity
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) brings advantages that are being discovered as the technology is being implemented, but it allows those that engage in cybercrime greater opportunities to carry out their criminal activities. In terms of security, AI allows for faster threat detection, intelligence analysis, fraud identification, in addition [ … ]
Brazil and the Rising Hezbollah Concern in Latin America
There has been a rising concern about Hezbollah around the world amid the Hamas-Israel conflict. Nations and law enforcement forces worldwide have been on high alert about the growing fear of terrorism. Evidence of that threat in Latin America manifested itself in Brazil, when in early November 2023 the Brazilian [ … ]
Helicopter Delivery Bolsters Guatemala’s Recovery and Response Capabilities
The Guatemalan Air Force added a new aircraft to its inventory. A Bell 429 GlobalRanger helicopter was delivered December 12, 2023, to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, as a result of a foreign military sale executed by the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC). The acquisition will enhance [ … ]
US, Peru, and Bolivia Declare Their Support for Ecuador in the Face of Acts of Violence
The United States, Peru, and Bolivia sent messages of concern and support to Ecuador, mired in violence and insecurity, which were reflected on January 9 in the assault on a television channel by a group of hooded men while it was broadcasting live. Peru announced that same day that it [ … ]
China Seeks Control of Electric Vehicles in Latin America
China is invading Latin America with strategic investments in mines, ports, and factories, particularly aimed at the growing electric vehicle (EV) market. U.S.-based China-focused news platform The China Project highlighted in a late 2023 report these investments as a clear indication of Beijing’s ambition to rule the region. The report [ … ]
South American Air Chiefs Converge to Forge a Path Together
U.S. Air Forces Southern/12th Air Force (AFSOUTH) hosted the South American Air Chiefs and Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference in Tucson, Arizona, December 5-8, 2023. The bi-annual conference united seven partner air chiefs and designated representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, under the theme Forging a Path [ … ]
Hezbollah Ties Cause for Concern in Brazil
Brazilian security forces are shining the light on the relationship some Shiite communities that inhabit the Triple-Border shared by Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay with Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, through illegal financial operations and smuggling. “Given the presence of these groups, cooperation measures to monitor terrorism, for example in the area [ … ]
Aztec Alligator: US and Mexican Marines Participate in Bilateral Amphibious Assault Exercise
U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance teams participated in a two-week military operation with their Mexican counterparts on an island in the Pacific Ocean off the Baja peninsula. The July 6-21, 2023, exercise Aztec Alligator 23 was a combined U.S. Marine amphibious assault exercise undertaken with Mexican Marines and Naval personnel, according [ … ]