REGIONAL NEWS - Dialogo forum Breaking News From South America the Caribbean

Suriname and Guyana Deepen Cooperation

Suriname and Guyana reaffirmed their cooperation with the signing of a joint declaration, after bilateral talks between President Desi Bouterse and his counterpart Donald Ramotar of Guyana.

Interview with Mr. Denzil L. Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis

The Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mr. Denzil L. Douglas, gave one of the most passionate presentations during the 2012 Caribbean Nations Security Conference (CANSEC), hosted and sponsored by that Caribbean nation with co-sponsorship of the United States Southern Command, in December 20...

Amorim Highlights Need for Strong Defense Industrial Base in South America

In a speech opening the Second National Defense Seminar in Brazil, Defense Minister Celso Amorim identified a process of deconcentration of world power and the creation of “a belt of good will between Brazil and its neighbors in South America.”

U.S. Experts Will Help in Investigation of Fire at Honduran Prison

On February 16, the United States announced that it has sent forensic experts to collaborate with the investigation of the prison fire in Honduras that killed 355 prisoners, at the request of that country’s authorities.

Minister Pinzón Issues Call for Joint and Coordinated Work in the Fight against Crime

At the opening of a preparatory meeting in advance of the meeting of defense, interior, and justice ministers of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) that will be held in Cartagena in May of this year, Colombian Minister of National Defense Juan Carlos Pinzón called for work on making joi...

Los Zetas Crackdown Ordered by Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina

Los Zetas will be the target of an all-out offensive by the military, Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina announced within hours of his Jan. 14 inauguration.

Honduras Forming Elite Police Force to Battle Organized Crime

The Honduran government plans to form an elite police force to fight against organized crime and to investigate serious offenses ranging from narco-trafficking to corruption and murder.

Colombian Navy to Activate Anti-Drug Task Force

Colombia’s National Navy will activate Anti-Drug Task Force Poseidon, based in Tumaco on a naval platform and under the operational command of the Pacific Naval Force, which will have the mission of neutralizing the strategic objectives of the FARC and terrorist support networks linked to narcoti...

Brazilian Navy Inaugurates 500-Ton Patrol Vessel

On February 15, the keel was laid for the patrol vessel Miramar, at a ceremony presided over by the general director for materials of the Brazilian Navy, Admiral Arthur Pires Ramos, at the Estaleiro Ilha S.A. (EISA) shipyard in Rio de Janeiro. This is the third patrol vessel in a series of five v...

Guatemalan President Inaugurates Municipal Program against Violence

On February 14, Guatemalan President Otto Pérez inaugurated the “Secure Municipality” program, which coordinates police and Military actions with the aim of reducing the violence that is plaguing the country, the local press reported.

Peru’s Arrest of ‘Comrade Artemio’ Devastates Shining Path Terrorists

The arrest of Florindo Eleuterio Flores Hala, the last remaining original leader of Peru’s Shining Path terrorist group who was still at large, delivered a major blow to the outlawed party just as it was trying to recast itself within the legal political system.

Inter-American Air Forces Academy Opens New Airfield Training Complex

High-ranking officials of the United States Air Force and Chiefs, Commanders and representatives of Latin American Air Forces opened IAAFA’s new Airfield Training Complex on February 9 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Mexico Arrests Synthetic Drug Manufacturer Fugitive from U.S. Justice

On February 14, the Mexican Security Secretariat announced the arrest of a producer and distributor of synthetic drugs with ties to the Sinaloa cartel and who is a fugitive from U.S. justice.

A Ton of Cocaine Seized in the Colombian Caribbean

Early on the morning of February 14, in a joint and coordinated operation involving the National Army, the Colombian Air Force, and the National Police, a ton of cocaine was seized as it was being transported in a go-fast boat in the general area of Puerto Estrella, in La Guajira.

Customs and Police Target Drug Couriers in Airports across Africa and Brazil

An operation to disrupt the trafficking of drugs from South America to Europe via Africa has resulted in the seizure of more than 500 kilos of drugs and the recovery of cash totaling US$ 3.31 million in 25 airports across Western and Central Africa and Brazil.

Peru Police to Question Shining Path Leader

Peruvian police said on February 13 they were preparing to question the Shining Path leader known as “Comrade Artemio” after soldiers captured him in a remote jungle cabin suffering from a serious gunshot wound.

First Woman Becomes President of Brazilian Oil Giant Petrobras

Maria das Graças Foster, a 58-year-old chemical engineer, became president of state-owned oil giant Petrobras on February 13 and promised continuity in the management of the company, which is planning investments worth almost 225 billion dollars between now and 2015.

Latin American and European Legislators Discuss Drug Trafficking in Mexico

Legislative delegations from 60 nations of Latin America and the European Union will meet in Mexico next week to draw up recommendations on combating organized crime in advance of the presidential summit to be held in Chile in June, one of the organizers announced on February 13.

Central American Immigrants Kidnapped in Mexico Are Rescued

On February 9, a group of 73 undocumented Central American immigrants, including 18 minors, was rescued from three buildings where they were being held in Mexico, near the border with the United States, the Mexican Secretariat of Defense announced.

Last Historical Leader of Shining Path Captured

The arrest on February 12 of “Comrade Artemio,” leader of one of the two remnant factions of the Maoist guerrilla group Shining Path in Peru, puts an end to more than 20 years of escapes and underground life by the last member of the guerrilla group’s historical leadership committee to remain free.

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