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Enlisting in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 28 years ago changed her life forever. Lieutenant Colonel Natasha Stanford, who signed up to join military life in March 1994, feels privileged to be in an environment that fosters growth and resilience, especially for women in uniform. Today, Lt. Col. Stanford is the most senior ranking women in the GDF, serving as…
One of the fundamental tasks of Colonel Dennis Rolando McCoy Martín, commander of the Honduran Army, is to protect the national territory and combat crime. Col. McCoy, with more than 37 years of military service, spoke with Diálogo about his challenges, working together with the National Police, and civil-military actions, among other topics. Diálogo: What is your most important challenge…
Colonel Francisco Javier Serrano Alvarado, commander of the Honduran Air Force (FAH), has taken on animportant mission since taking office in February 2022. His most pressing taskshave to do with acquisition and revamping the air fleet to combat the illicit actions of narcotrafficking and to support humanitarian and environmental missions, among others. To talk about these issues, Col. Serrano met…
The Ibero-American Defense College Directors Conference (CDCDIA) is a forum that arose from the recognition of a shared cultural identity among Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries of the Americas and those of Europe’s Iberian Peninsula. As such, Portugal and Spain are part of the CDCDIA and sent representatives to this year’s conference, held August 29-September 2, at the Brazilian War College…
Protecting Honduran territorial waters in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is the mission of Captain Paulo Antonio Rodríguez, commander of the Honduran Naval Force (FNH). To fulfill his mission, Capt. Rodriguez works with his staff in strengthening his naval fleet, training, education, and joint interdiction operations. Capt. Rodríguez met with Diálogo to discuss his military mission. Diálogo: The…
The Ibero-American Defense College Directors Conference is an interregional forum, which involves countries of Europe and the Americas to bring together educational establishments dedicated to national defense. This year, the event was held at the Brazilian War College in Rio de Janeiro, August 9-September 2. In 2023, the conference will be held in Guatemala. Diálogo spoke with Colonel Edgar Leopoldo Fuentes…
Vice Admiral José Jorge Fortín Aguilar, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Honduran Armed Forces, is committed to focusing his country’s Armed Forces on teamwork, as one of the institutional branches resolute to combating criminal organizations and helping citizens in emergencies. Vice Adm. Fortín spoke with Diálogo to discuss his approach during the Human Rights Initiative Seminar…
Commissioner Adrián González Grossett, head of the Panama East Brigade, a component of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT), the branch of the Panamanian Public Force in charge of land operations nationwide, was among hiscountry’s representatives for multinational exercise PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo spoke with Commissioner González at the end of the PANAMAX activities. Diálogo: Why is exercise PANAMAX still relevant? Commissioner…
While Mexico falls under the purview of U.S. Northern Command, the country is quite often invited to take part in U.S. Southern Command-led meetings, conferences, and combined exercises. Such was the case for PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo spoke with Mexican Navy Captain Carlos Renán Ancona, an intelligence officer within the Mexican Armed Forces’ General Staff, about his participation in this year’s…
Human rights and international humanitarian law are a priority for the Honduran Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA). Secretary of National Defense José Manuel Zelaya Rosales believes that the professionalization of the Honduran Armed Forces goes hand in hand with the respect for and protection of human rights and the full confidence of citizens. His office, with the support of the…
One of the focus points during PANAMAX 2022 was cyber defense. Jamaica Defence Force Major Kayson Gunzell was part of the cyber cell during the multinational exercise. Diálogo talked to the Jamaican officer about his role during PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo: Why is cyber defense such a hot topic at PANAMAX 2022? Jamaica Defence Force Major Kayson Gunzell: Cyber is a…
Colonel Luis Guimpel is the Cyber Defense director for the Argentine Army and served as head of the cyber defense cell for the Multinational Force Command during PANAMAX 2022. Diálogo spoke with Col. Guimpel about his participation in this exercise that brought together 19 countries. Diálogo: In what capacity did the exercise take place in the cyber defense domain? Argentine…
