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From infantry and jungle operations to military education and the command of special operations forces, Argentine Army Colonel Eduardo César Verón Rodríguez has spent decades serving in some of the military’s most demanding roles. Today, as commander of the Argentine Armed Forces Joint Special Operations Command (CCOE), that experience comes together in one mission: preparing forces to operate jointly and…
Ecuador faces increasingly structured criminal organizations, with ties that extend beyond its borders and illicit activities ranging from drug trafficking and illegal mining to arms trafficking and money laundering. In response to this threat, the Ecuadorian Armed Forces are strengthening their operational capabilities and deepening cooperation with the United States and other countries in the hemisphere. Leading these efforts is…
More than three decades of military service have taken Argentine Navy Admiral Marcelo Alejandro Dalle Nogare from command of Argentine Navy units and international naval operations to the highest levels of joint leadership. That trajectory, which includes experience in intelligence, combined operations, and international cooperation, has reinforced a conviction that shapes his view of transnational threats: No country can confront…
The maritime environment in Latin America and the Caribbean is undergoing a rapid transformation. Traditional threats such as drug trafficking and illegal fishing are now compounded by emerging challenges, including the expansion of transnational criminal networks along maritime routes, the use of advanced technologies, the protection of critical infrastructure, and the growing presence of extra-regional actors. In an interview with…
Guatemala is transforming its border security model to respond to increasingly dynamic and sophisticated transnational criminal networks. The country is moving from an approach focused primarily on interdiction toward a strategy based on intelligence, risk analysis, and anticipation, with greater coordination among security, customs, and immigration authorities, as well as new technological and analytical capabilities. In an exclusive interview with…
The Dominican Republic plays a key role in Caribbean security and in regional efforts to combat transnational organized crime. Its strategic location, maritime interdiction capabilities, and close cooperation with the United States and other allies have positioned the country as an important security partner in confronting criminal organizations that increasingly operate across borders, maritime routes, and international networks. Against this…
The Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition is moving from planning to action. At its second meeting, held August 11-12 in Panama, defense and security officials from across the hemisphere analyzed transnational criminal threats, trafficking routes, and logistical networks and began identifying areas for joint action. Against this backdrop, Diálogo spoke with Ecuador’s Minister of National Defense Gian Carlo Loffredo about his country’s…
Located at the heart of South America and home to some of the continent’s most important trade and river corridors, Paraguay faces security challenges stemming from its strategic location and the growing sophistication of transnational organized crime. In response, the country has pursued institutional reforms, modernized its security capabilities, and strengthened cooperation with regional and international partners. In an exclusive…
As Colombia consolidates its capabilities in the space domain, Colombian Aerospace Force Colonel Eliana Mallarino has been among the officers driving that process. As director of Space Capabilities of the Space Operations Command, she works to integrate space assets in support of security and defense operations, from monitoring illicit activities to responding to natural disasters. Throughout her career, she has…
As space becomes increasingly important to security and defense, Argentina is strengthening its aerospace capabilities to enhance surveillance of its territory, integrate satellite-derived information, and expand cooperation with regional and international partners. Leading that effort is Major General Plinio Guillermo Poma, commander of the Argentine Armed Forces Joint Aerospace Command (COCAE). An Argentine Air Force officer and fighter pilot, Maj.…
The two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 once again underscored the enormous challenges countries face when a catastrophe overwhelms national response capabilities. Beyond the scale of the disaster itself, such events also test the speed, coordination, and effectiveness of regional and international cooperation. In an exclusive interview with Diálogo, retired Chilean Army General Ricardo Toro, former director…
Over the past several decades, security in Latin America and the Caribbean has seen both progress and setbacks in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats. While some countries have made significant progress in reducing violence, others continue to face the expansion of illicit economies and transnational criminal organizations. In an exclusive interview with Diálogo, former Minister of Defense of Colombia…
