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 [ … ]
Recent News
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 [ … ]
Mafia Hideout with $2.3 Million in Cash Found in Colombia
Colombian authorities seized cash equivalent to $2.3 million from narcotraffickers linked to dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC, in Spanish) who did not join the peace process, the Office of the Attorney General reported on November 12. Authorities found the money in boxes and in “two buildings” [ … ]
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 [ … ]
US Navy, Marine Corps Officers Embark on Brazilian Ship
Planners from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet (USNAVSO/4th Fleet) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (MARFORSOUTH) participated in a Brazilian Navy maritime engagement aboard the Brazilian Naval frigate União (F 45) off the northeast coast of Brazil, October 27 to November 5. The two U.S. officers are subject [ … ]
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 [ … ]
15th Annual US-Chilean Army Staff Talks Concludes with Optimism for 2021 Training Opportunities
Despite the pandemic that has affected the global environment, U.S. Army South as the Army’s Executive Agent, has maintained its role of conducting bilateral staff talks with partner nations in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility to strengthen the command’s professional relationships and create training opportunities in the Western [ … ]