An Argentine Air Force (FAA, in Spanish) Hercules C-130 aircraft departed for Haiti with a White Helmets contingent on August 21, 2021, following the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that left more than 2,000 dead. The White Helmets Commission is a body under the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs that provides international humanitarian [ … ]
News
Colombia Extradites ELN Members to the US
On August 19, 2021, the Colombian National Police (PNC, in Spanish) handed over two members of the National Liberation Army (ELN, in Spanish) to U.S. authorities to face narcoterrorism charges, the Colombian Ministry of Justice said in a statement. Henry Trigos, alias Moncho Picada, and Yamit Picón, alias Choncha, had [ … ]
Brazilian Federal Police Seizes Nearly 4 Tons of Cocaine in Fishing Boats
The northern region of Santa Catarina state, in the south of Brazil, has the largest industrial fishing fleet in the country, with hundreds of vessels transiting daily to carry out fishing activities. However, criminal groups have been taking advantages of workers’ legal pursuits to try and conceal their illegal practices. [ … ]
Ecuadorian Police Deals Blow to Narcotrafficking in Guayaquil Port
In late July and early August, agents of the Ecuadorian National Police prevented the shipment of more than 4 tons of cocaine from the Guayaquil Maritime Port in two operations where authorities found the drug hidden among legal goods in containers bound for Europe. On August 2, authorities found 2,123 [ … ]
Colombia: 17 Clan del Golfo Members Captured
In late July, the Colombian Armed Forces weakened the criminal group Clan del Golfo with the capture of 17 of its members during Operation San Lucas, carried out in Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar department. Those captured belong to the substructure Héroes del Caribe, which engages in narcotrafficking, extortion, and selective [ … ]
Krishna Mathoera, Minister of Defense of Suriname: ‘Being a Woman Should Never Be an Obstacle to Be Successful or to Do the Extraordinary’
The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Breaking Barriers podcast features in each episode guests from the Defense and Security forces of Latin America and the Caribbean. This platform shares powerful stories and valuable insights on gains being made to recognize women as equal partners in preventing [ … ]
How the U.S. Helps Partners Tackle Illegal Fishing
The United States is helping partner nations combat illegal fishing to preserve food supplies, improve local economies and protect ecosystems. The U.S. Coast Guard recently assisted the Pacific island nations of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau in enforcing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The [ … ]
U.S. Airlifts Haitians To Safety After Earthquake
U.S. emergency workers are rushing to assist Haiti after a massive earthquake, searching for survivors, airlifting them to hospitals and delivering urgent humanitarian assistance. President Biden authorized an immediate response after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 14. The earthquake killed at least 2,200 people and injured more [ … ]
Brazilian Ministry of Defense Launches Multi-satellite Antenna to Expand Surveillance in the Amazon
On July 22, 2021, the Brazilian Ministry of Defense launched a multi-satellite antenna to help combat deforestation and other environmental crimes in Brazil. With a diameter of 11.3 meters, the new antenna is capable of capturing images from satellites operated by Brazilians and other countries with which Brazil has acquisition [ … ]
Peru: National Police Destroys More Than 10 Tons of Chemical Precursors in Less Than a Week
The Peruvian National Police (PNP, in Spanish) seized 10 tons of chemical precursors used for cocaine production in the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers Valley, in less than a week. During the first operation, on July 5, service members raided a rustic lab in the district of Llochegua, Ayacucho department. [ … ]
Peru Destroys Coca Leaf Maceration Wells, Terrorist Camps
The Peruvian Armed Forces and National Police dealt harsh blows to terrorism and narcotrafficking in the main coca-growing area of Peru, the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers Valley (VRAEM, in Spanish). During an operation in Huanta province, Ayacucho, on August 7, 2021, the Peruvian Armed Forces Joint Command (CCFFAA, in [ … ]
Colombian Army Dismantles Clan del Golfo Cell
The Colombian Army and National Police captured seven alleged members of the organized armed group (GAO, in Spanish) Clan del Golfo, the most powerful narcotrafficking organization in the country. The joint operation took place in the Montelíbano municipality, Córdoba department, in early July 2021. Investigations by the Office of the [ … ]