Diálogo had the opportunity to speak with Peruvian Army Brigadier General Francisco Javier Costa Gallegos, head of the Intelligence Division of the Peruvian Armed Forces’ Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a regional Information Operations subject matter expert exchange (SMEE), in Bogotá, Colombia, organized by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) together with the Colombian Military Forces, in mid-August 2024. Brig. Gen. Costa stressed, among other topics, the importance of sharing intelligence and best practices among the countries of the region, to strengthen each nation’s capabilities for the defense of democracy.
Diálogo: What are the main challenges you face as head of the Intelligence Division of the Peruvian Armed Forces’ Joint Chiefs of Staff, and what are your main objectives?
Peruvian Army Brigadier General Francisco Javier Costa Gallegos, chief of the Intelligence Division of the Peruvian Armed Forces’ Joint Chiefs of Staff: As chief of the Intelligence Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I face, among many challenges, that of adapting my organization to the threats, which means confronting novelties such as hybrid warfare and international organized crime. To achieve this, I must integrate diverse sources of information and develop advanced technological capabilities to present timely, predictive, and useful intelligence that will serve as input for decision making to protect national security. In addition, I must coordinate interagency efforts with foreign entities to increase the quality of intelligence, supporting military planning and continuous modernization of intelligence capabilities.
Diálogo: How have your experience and decades of service with the Peruvian Army prepared you for this position?
Brig. Gen. Costa: My more than 30 years of experience in the Peruvian Army and three years as chief of the Intelligence Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have forged me as a disciplined leader, capable of operating under pressure and making strategic decisions in complex environments. I have developed skills in leadership, strategic planning, efficient resource management, quick and informed decision making, with adaptability to diverse environments. These skills, together with my deep knowledge of the intelligence system and commitment to public service, qualify me to contribute significantly to fulfilling the mission of the Peruvian Armed Forces’ Joint Command.
Diálogo: Drug trafficking and transnational criminal groups are among the main security challenges not only in Peru, but also in neighboring countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia. Are combined actions being carried out with your counterparts to combat these challenges?
Brig. Gen. Costa: The countries of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia share extensive borders, and given their rugged geographical configuration and inaccessibility, this facilitates the development of illicit activities. To counteract them, strategies such as mirror operations, permanent intelligence exchange, joint training, legislative harmonization, and cooperation with international organizations have been implemented. However, we must face challenges such as corruption and inequality that somehow feed this criminality. On the other hand, we must also face the high demand for drugs in consumer markets. The situation is complex, but I believe that by joining forces and working together we can have better prospects for success.
Diálogo: In March, Peru enacted the Cyber Defense Law, through which it will be able to carry out military operations in cyberspace to guarantee its national security and defense. What does this advance mean for the operations of the Peruvian Armed Forces and what will be the participation of the Intelligence Division in these operations?
Brig. Gen. Costa: The Cyber Defense Law recently enacted into Peru’s laws extends the country’s shield of protection to cyberspace. Recognizing the importance of digital assets, this law equips the Armed Forces, especially the Intelligence Division together with the Cyber Defense Operational Command, with tools to prevent and respond to cyberattacks. The law seeks to safeguard critical infrastructure, but its implementation must balance national security with respect for digital rights and civil liberties.
Diálogo: How do Information Operations SMEEs, such as the one that was carried out in Colombia, strengthen and promote practical military capabilities and help develop methodologies that support strategic efforts to counter threats in the region?
Brig. Gen. Costa: Knowledge exchanges in Information Operations are crucial to safeguard our critical infrastructures. By sharing intelligence and best practices, countries strengthen their capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the actions of actors that are contrary to the current legal system. These meetings foster collaboration between the public, private, and academic sectors, enabling the Armed Forces to function in the service of democracy in our countries in the region.
Diálogo: U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has maintained a close relationship with Peru to strengthen cooperation activities in national security and defense matters. What has the combined work with SOUTHCOM been like and what are the expectations of this cooperation for the Intelligence Division in the future?
Brig. Gen. Costa: Intelligence cooperation between Peru and SOUTHCOM has been fundamental to face transnational threats. Through information sharing, joint training, and exercises, both countries have strengthened their analytical and operational capabilities. SOUTHCOM’s support in equipment and technology has been key to modernize the Peruvian Armed Forces. The new bilateral agreement is expected to deepen cooperation in areas such as cybercrime, human intelligence, and the integration of new technologies. The goal is to build a more robust and effective regional intelligence network to face the challenges of the 21st century.
