Colombian and U.S. senior naval leaders convened in Cartagena, March 24-27, 2026, for the annual Maritime Staff Talks (MST), reaffirming the enduring partnership between both nations and outlining a path for future maritime collaboration.
The U.S. delegation, led by Rear Admiral Carlos Sardiello, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, was hosted by Vice Admiral Carlos Serrano, chief of Naval Operations of the Colombian Navy. The U.S. contingent also included Major General Douglas Clark, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, along with representatives from the Joint Interagency Task Force South and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The talks focused on enhancing interoperability, deepening commitment to mutual security, and advancing a bilateral strategy to address shared challenges across the maritime environment. Key areas of discussion included leveraging upcoming multinational exercises such as PANAMAX and UNITAS to ensure seamless teamwork against common threats.
“The challenges we face in the maritime domain, stemming from illicit trafficking demand a unified response to ensure regional stability,” said Rear Adm. Sardiello. “Through these annual maritime staff talks, we continue to strengthen our partnership and expand operational commitments that increase our combined readiness and effectiveness across the maritime domain.”
As part of the MST, both delegations delivered presentations on their respective mission objectives and ongoing maritime operations. The agenda also included tours of Colombia’s premier state-owned shipyard and naval industrial base COTECMAR, the Almirante Padilla Naval Academy, and other key naval facilities in Cartagena, providing the U.S. delegation with firsthand insight into Colombia’s naval capabilities and strategic infrastructure.
The event concluded with the signing of minutes by Vice Adm. Serrano and Rear Adm. Sardiello, formally documenting the key agreements reached and solidifying a collaborative path forward. Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to the robust and lasting partnership between Colombia and the United States.
