Browsing: Spotlight Interviews

Interview with Admiral Fernando Pérez, head of Uruguayan Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

Interview with Admiral Fernando Pérez, head of Uruguayan Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

Diálogo spoke with Admiral Fernando Pérez Arana, chairman of the Uruguayan Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC), held in the city of Natal, Brazil, in August 2019. Diálogo: What are your immediate goals as chairman of the Uruguayan Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff? Admiral Fernando Pérez Arana, chairman of the Uruguayan Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff: Improving…

September 30, 2019
Transnational Organized Crime, One Of The Greatest Threats To South America’s Security And Stability

Transnational Organized Crime, One Of The Greatest Threats To South America’s Security And Stability

Brazil co-hosted the sixth South American Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC) in the city of Natal, in Rio Grande do Norte. SOUTHDEC, co-sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command, was created to discuss topics that affect the stability and security of Western Hemisphere nations. This edition, which was held in Brazil for the first time, covered current issues, such as natural disasters and…

September 26, 2019
Current Scenarios Represent Great Challenges for Countries in the Western Hemisphere

Current Scenarios Represent Great Challenges for Countries in the Western Hemisphere

In Ecuador, the Armed Forces Joint Command’s director of operations, or G3, is responsible for advising and taking part in the planning, preparation, and execution of military operations at the strategic level as a member of the Operational Joint Staff. Their role is to assist in decision-making, command and control, and to issue orders at the operational level. Ecuadorean Army…

September 23, 2019
International Cooperation Key to Addressing Venezuelan Humanitarian Crisis

International Cooperation Key to Addressing Venezuelan Humanitarian Crisis

Diálogo: What is Colombia's contribution to the Venezuelan crisis? Army General Luis Fernando Navarro Jiménez, commander of the Colombian Military Forces: It’s a tragedy what the Venezuelan people are going through right now. This crisis is causing serious problems for the countries that share borders with Venezuela, but the crisis also extends to all of South America, even Central America. It…

September 16, 2019
JIATF South: The Strength of Relationships

JIATF South: The Strength of Relationships

Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF South) conducts detection and monitoring operations of illicit trafficking in the air and maritime domains throughout the U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) area of operations. U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pat DeQuattro, JIATF South Director, spoke with Diálogo during a visit to their installations at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. The officer highlighted the…

September 09, 2019
The Colombian Air Force: 100 Years of Existence in Style

The Colombian Air Force: 100 Years of Existence in Style

The Colombian Air Force (FAC, in Spanish) celebrated 100 years of existence. Its commander, General Ramsés Rueda Rueda, presided over the official ceremony next to Colombian President Ivan Duque and Defense Minister Guillermo Botero, July 13, at the 5th Air Command headquarters, in Rionegro, Antioquia. The celebration took place during the ninth edition of the International Aeronautic Fair – F-Air…

August 05, 2019
SOUTHCOM Commander Discusses Security in Argentina

SOUTHCOM Commander Discusses Security in Argentina

U.S. Navy Admiral Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Argentina in late June. Adm. Faller met with Argentine Army Lieutenant General Bari del Valle, chairman of the Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Minister of Defense Oscar Aguad, as well as other Argentine military leaders. The senior leaders discussed regional security and cooperation to strengthen…

July 29, 2019
Chilean Army: Committed to Capacity Building, Interoperability

Chilean Army: Committed to Capacity Building, Interoperability

Since assuming command in March 2018, Army General Ricardo Martínez Menanteau, commander of the Chilean Army, has focused on an institutional challenge: to continue professionalizing his personnel to confront future challenges. Transforming the curriculum of officers and noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and continuous capacity building are his priorities. Diálogo spoke to Gen. Martínez to learn about his goals, the institution’s interoperability,…

July 22, 2019
Senior Enlisted Leaders Boost Joint and Multinational Team Effort

Senior Enlisted Leaders Boost Joint and Multinational Team Effort

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Jerome N. Root, command senior enlisted leader, Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH), spoke with Diálogo during the Senior Enlisted Leaders Seminar, held during Fuerzas Comando 2019, June 24-28 in Santiago, Chile, where he shared his views on the professional development of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and partnering with the region to address common goals. Diálogo:…

July 15, 2019
Honduras, Committed to Interoperability

Honduras, Committed to Interoperability

Army Major General René Orlando Ponce Fonseca, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Honduran Armed Forces, is committed to interagency operations to combat transnational criminal organizations, and more specifically drug trafficking. The National Interagency Security Force (FUSINA, in Spanish), the Guardians of the Homeland program, and border security binational agreements are part of his institutional commitment. Maj.…

July 01, 2019
USSOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Craig Faller Message to the Venezuelan Military

USSOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Craig Faller Message to the Venezuelan Military

I write this letter to the Venezuelan military as you celebrate a decisive victory as forgers of liberty and the path to independence that began in Carabobo 198 years ago. Your military has played an essential role in Venezuela's rich history and has an essential role in Venezuela's future and restoring hope and comfort to your people. Your country and…

June 23, 2019
SOUTHCOM Commander US Navy Admiral Faller Optimistic about Venezuela Crisis

SOUTHCOM Commander US Navy Admiral Faller Optimistic about Venezuela Crisis

The South American country was the dominant topic at FIU’s Hemispheric Security Conference. When experts gather to discuss security issues in Latin America, they inevitably talk about Venezuela. That was also the case on May 22, at Florida International University’s Fourth Annual Hemispheric Security Conference, where U.S. Navy Admiral Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), led the…

May 30, 2019