Marking a quarter-century of partnership, a delegation led by U.S. Army Major General Francis J. Evon Jr., adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard (CTNG), visited Uruguay’s Defense Staff (ESMADE) in late May, underscoring the enduring defense and security collaboration between Uruguay and the United States.
The visit, part of the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the CTNG and the Uruguayan Armed Forces, under the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, included the exchange of institutional gifts between Maj. Gen. Evon and Air Force General Rodolfo D. Pereyra, ESMADE chief.
During his visit, Maj. Gen. Evon and his delegation also toured Uruguay’s National Peace Operations Training Institute (ENOPU), where they received a briefing on the school’s peacekeeping training and deployments from General José Martínez Quintana, director of the National Peacekeeping Operations Support System (SINOMAPA) and other SINOMAPA and ENOPU leaders.
“Gen. Evon’s presence in Uruguay strengthens fraternal ties and projects the continuity of a relationship that has been consolidated over time, demonstrating the value that both nations place on the principles of camaraderie, mutual respect, and professional excellence,” Uruguay’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Just a week prior, the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing hosted a Uruguayan Armed Forces delegation, which included a bilateral meeting and a tour of facilities at Bradley Air National Guard Base in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
The ongoing collaboration has fostered mutual learning and strengthened ties and represents the most recent instances of cooperation in security and defense between Uruguay and the United States.
Long-standing defense relations
The defense and security partnership between Uruguay and the United States is multifaceted, involving various forms of cooperation. For instance, the strengthening defense relationship was highlighted by the visit to Uruguay of retired U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, then commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), in February 2024. During her visit, the United States donated firefighting support equipment to Uruguay’s National Emergency System, underscoring the U.S. commitment to its partnership with Uruguay.
A key aspect of the partnership between both countries is the provision of military equipment to strengthen Uruguay’s capabilities, particularly in peacekeeping operations. In July 2024, the Uruguayan Army received 13 Mamba Mk7 armored vehicles, valued at more than $13 million, donated by the U.S. Embassy Defense Cooperation Office.
Previously, in August 2022, the United States donated $42,000 worth of aircraft parts and tools to the Uruguayan Air Force. This donation supported the maintenance and operational readiness of Uruguay’s helicopter squadron, which plays a crucial role in night missions for U.N. peacekeeping operations, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In August 2021, the United States provided over $2.6 million worth of radio frequency jammers to the Uruguayan Army. These jammers are designed to prevent attacks using remotely triggered explosive devices, enhancing the safety of Uruguayan peacekeepers deployed in areas with such threats, like the Golan Heights.
Exercises and training
Joint military exercises are a regular feature of the security cooperation. For instance, the Uruguayan Armed Forces have participated in multinational exercise PANAMAX, which focuses on maritime security, particularly of the Panama Canal. The Connecticut National Guard and the Uruguayan Armed Forces have also conducted joint training, such as counter-improvised explosive device (IED) training, involving the exchange of tactics and procedures. These exercises aim to improve interoperability and readiness for both nations.
Expert exchanges and professional development are another key component. Through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, the United States has supported the training of hundreds of Uruguayan military personnel since 2015, focusing on areas like professional military education and peacekeeping operations.
Leaders from SOUTHCOM and the Connecticut National Guard frequently visit Uruguay to meet with their counterparts, discuss cooperation, and learn about Uruguay’s contributions to regional and global security.
In April 2024, U.S. Space Command also signed a Space Situational Awareness information-sharing agreement with the Uruguayan Air Force, expanding cooperation into the space domain.
Building on this, SOUTHCOM and Uruguay are also engaged in ongoing cyber defense cooperation aimed at improving Uruguay’s cyber and network capabilities. This collaboration seeks to enhance Uruguay’s ability to deter, detect, and defend against malicious cyber threats.
These cooperative efforts often involve expert exchanges, training programs, and the sharing of best practices in cybersecurity to strengthen Uruguay’s resilience in the digital domain. The intent is to build a more secure cyber environment for Uruguay, enabling it to better protect its critical infrastructure and sensitive data against evolving threats.
Regional security
The multifaceted defense and security partnership between the United States and Uruguay, marked by equipment donations, joint exercises, and growing cyber defense cooperation, underscores a long-standing commitment to strengthening both countries’ capabilities and fostering regional security.
“Uruguay is a constructive partner that plays a key role in promoting regional stability and democracy. The country often acts as a consensus builder and mediator in international institutions,” the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay said in a statement.
“For the United States, Uruguay is a small but serious, stable, and reliable ally with consistent and coherent public policies over time,” Juan Belikow, a defense expert and professor at the University of Buenos Aires, told Diálogo.
