Military Exercises in Latin America: September and October

11/05/14
Elizabeth Lincoln
Latin America and the Caribbean
Military Exercises
  • According to the Peruvian Air Force, Peru and Colombia initiated aerial control exercises to simulate joint operations against drug traffickers in a border area frequented by guerrillas, paramilitaries, and drug and arms traffickers. “PERCOL III” took place in northeast Peru near the Amazon River, at the Santa Clara Aerial Base, and in the southeast of Colombia in Leticia.
  • The Brazilian and Indian Navies will participate in IBSAMAR IV, a joint maritime exercise between Brazil, India, and South Africa in order to build interoperability and mutual understanding. The exercise will be held primarily in South Africa.
  • The military exercise Solidaridad 2014 is underway, in what Chilean President Michelle Bachelet billed as “an experience of extraordinary importance for the armed forces of Chile and Argentina.” The objective of the exercise is “the integration of both nations’ armed forces in case of a [natural] catastrophe.”
  • The Colombian Armed Forces, along with the National Police, initiated Operation COMBIFROM (Comisión Binacional Fronteriza) with the Peruvian Coast Guard and National Police Anti-Drug Unit.  The joint operation—technically not an exercise—will last 30 days near the segment of the Amazon River that borders Colombia and Peru, with the objective of closing the border and combatting drug trafficking.
  • Silent Forces Exercise (SIFOREX), a multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise, came to a close on October 7 in Lima, Peru. The exercise, which was sponsored by United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), ran for a week and included navies from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
  • In Montevideo, 40 military personnel from the United States and Uruguay conducted a tactical combat lifesaver course subject matter expert exchange. Staff Sergeant Robert Hogeland, the clinical operations noncommissioned officer in charge at U.S. Army South’s medical directorate, emphasized the camaraderie developed between the two groups and the importance of sharing medical information.
  • U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted a four-week Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Suriname in August. Its goal was to work with members of the Suriname Army Special Forces and military and law enforcement antiterrorism units. 

This post was compiled by WOLA intern Elizabeth Lincoln.