U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited the Dominican Republic to take part in the closing ceremony of the Fuerzas Comando 2023 regional competition.
Delegations from 22 countries, including Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, and Uruguay participated in Fuerzas Comando 2023, the 17th iteration of the championship since its 2004 creation.
For 11 days, Fuerzas Comando 2023 strengthened cooperation relations among participating nations, and reinforced tactical skills training and preparation of elite regional units to confront terrorist and organized crime organizations. The competitors faced grueling tests and challenges that took place in an atmosphere of fraternity and harmony.
Colombia took first place in the competition, with Panama in second place, and Mexico coming in third.
Gen. Richardson’s visit included a courtesy meeting with Dominican President Luis Abinader Corona, a meeting that reaffirmed the security cooperation ties between the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Gen. Richardson also met with Dominican Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Carlos Luciano Diaz Morfa, where they discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to continue strengthening the fruitful security cooperation.
“Each of you here today should feel a great sense of pride not only for your service and nation, but also for your continued contributions to ‘team democracy,’” Gen. Richardson said during the closing ceremony of Fuerzas Comando 2023.