A sign outside an office in the Pentagon summarizes the feelings of the people inside the office: “The Western Hemisphere Is the Best Hemisphere.” Sergio de la Peña, deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere affairs, says that, despite some problems, the “neighborhood” is safe and prospering. Still, this [ … ]
Recent News
JTF-Bravo continues to rescue victims of Hurricane Eta
Joint Task Force-Bravo continues conducting life-saving efforts in Central America in the wake of Hurricane Eta and has now deployed military members to assist the people of Guatemala. Guatemala joins Honduras and Panama in declaring a national emergency and requesting immediate life-saving assistance from the U.S. government. JTF-Bravo’s proximity, training [ … ]
The United States Announces $120,000 in Humanitarian Assistance and Additional Supplies for Storm Victims
The United States Government will provide $120,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance and additional support to individuals currently living in temporary shelters due to the devastating effects of Tropical Depression Eta. This assistance will be provided to individuals living in the nine departments worst affected by this disaster (El Quiché, Petén, [ … ]
The United States Provides Immediate Aerial Assistance to Support Communities and Save Lives in the wake of Tropical Depression Eta
The United States Government is providing immediate aerial assistance to the government of Guatemala to support communities and individuals impacted by Tropical Depression Eta. This assistance is in the form of two U.S. helicopters as well as pilot support and technical assistance for five Policia Nacional (PNC) helicopters, all of [ … ]
JTF-Bravo Rescues Victims of Hurricane Eta
A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopter crew assigned to Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo) in Honduras rescued victims stranded in floodwaters November 5, following the effects of Hurricane Eta. At the request of the governments of Honduras and Panama, the task force is supporting immediate, life-saving efforts in [ … ]
Paraguay, Brazil Disrupt Narcotrafficking, Money Laundering Ring
In early September, Paraguayan and Brazilian security forces dismantled one of the most powerful narcotrafficking and money laundering networks in the region, the Paraguayan Secretariat for the Prevention of Money or Asset Laundering (SEPRELAD, in Spanish) said in a statement. It is the García Morínigo clan, “a family scheme that [ … ]
Guyana, US Join Efforts to Fight Narcotrafficking
The U.S. government, through U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali agreed on September 18, to deploy joint patrols that will operate in Caribbean airspace to disrupt drug smuggling on Guyana’s border with Venezuela. The agreement was made possible under the reactivated 2001 Shiprider program, [ … ]
Colombian Navy Destroys 3 Narco-labs on the Pacific Coast
In mid-September, the Colombian Navy dealt a new blow to narcotrafficking during an operation conducted in Cauca department, on the Pacific coast of Colombia. Three labs used to process coca base paste, which belonged to dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, were found and destroyed, the Navy said [ … ]
US Helps Improve Guatemalans’ Lives
The United States government, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced the donation of $7 million to the Trifinio Plan, to be used in four new and existing projects in Guatemalan municipalities that share borders with El [ … ]
In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, SOUTHCOM Humanitarian Assistance in Uruguay and the Region Shows Friendship and Focuses on Vulnerable Populations
The Office of Defense Cooperation of the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay is constantly working on building and strengthening bonds and institutional ties to promote the security, stability, and prosperity of Uruguayan citizens through a wide array of programs, donations, and exchange initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic was not the exception, since [ … ]
NCO Career Is Theme at Conference of American Armies
The professionalization of noncommissioned officers (NCO) was the central theme during the second videoconference of army commanders at the Conference of American Armies (CAA) on September 30, 2020, with the participation of 26 countries. “The Brazilian Army commander, General Edson Leal Pujol, addressed the aspects of training and specialization in [ … ]
Ecuadorean Security Forces Seize Almost 6.5 Tons of Drugs
Nearly 6.5 tons of drugs, including cocaine and marijuana, were seized in less than a week in Ecuador, in 11 operations carried out between September 5-9 the National Police reported in a statement. On September 9, the National Police seized 3.8 tons of marijuana hidden in a truck that was [ … ]