As part of the bilateral relations between Paraguay and the United States, the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, in his capacity as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Nation, held a bilateral meeting with General Laura Richardson, Commander of the U.S. Southern Command in Washington D.C.
Topics of regional security and progress in cooperation driven by both governments in technological matters, joint plans in combating drug trafficking and transnational crimes were discussed. Additionally, he emphasized his support for Paraguay’s security forces, considered strategic allies in the region.
“We work together for the security of Paraguay and the region!” President Peña expressed on his X social media account following the meeting, which was also attended by senior officials of the U.S. government such as Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the United States; Daniel Erikson, Security Advisor for Latin America; and Chris Dodd, Advisor for Latin American Affairs to President Joe Biden. They were joined by the American ambassador to Paraguay, Marc Ostfield.
The Paraguayan delegation included Foreign Minister Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Industry and Commerce Javier Giménez, and Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate.
“The ongoing support that Paraguay provides to Taiwan and the consistent stance in support of Israel was analyzed, as well as Paraguay’s position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, advocating for a peaceful solution as soon as possible,” stated Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, according to a statement from the Presidency of the Republic after the meeting.
Ostfield, as ambassador, was present during the first week of the establishment of the new military detachment in the department of Canindeyú (northeastern Paraguay), where the Paraguayan Army through its Joint Task Force carries out pacification efforts in areas highly militarized by international criminal organizations such as Brazil’s Primeiro Comando Capital and Comando Vermelho.
International commitment
President Santiago Peña also participated in the Conference on Hemispheric Security, where he reiterated his international commitment to combating transnational crime through the Armed Forces.
“Paraguay is not immune to drug trafficking and violence. Our borders become conduits for illicit activities. Similarly, terrorism represents a threat,” stated Peña, who also emphasized, “Our operations allowed us to seize approximately 2,000 weapons irregularly obtained by organizations with continental coverage,” he described.
“In the future, my government is committed to continuing to fight threats to security. We recognize that no one can face them alone,” regarding the joint work that must be done in the Triple Border area between Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
Paraguayan personnel completed the Basic Course on Counter Narcotics and Terrorism
The basic course on counter-narcotics and terrorism, conducted by Colombian Marine Infantry instructors and sponsored by the USCAP program of the United States Defense Cooperation Office, was concluded.
The Commander of the Paraguayan Navy, Admiral Silvio Vargas, presided over the closing ceremony where he certified the personnel of the marine infantry command who completed the course.
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