Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), made an official visit to Guatemala from October 22 to 24, 2024. During her visit, General Richardson met with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and senior defense leaders, emphasizing the importance of deepening the security partnership between the United States and Guatemala. This visit follows a previous meeting between the general and President Arévalo in April, highlighting the ongoing commitment to cooperation in addressing regional security challenges.
A central focus of the discussions was the joint effort to combat transnational criminal organizations that threaten both nations’ stability. General Richardson engaged with key Guatemalan military leaders, including Minister of Defense Brig. Gen. Henry David Saenz and Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense Brig. Gen. Hermelindo Choz Soc, to explore strategies for countering illicit trafficking and enhancing cybersecurity measures. The emphasis on these issues underscores the shared interests of both countries in ensuring a safe and secure environment for their citizens.
As part of the visit, the U.S. made a significant contribution to Guatemala’s security capabilities by donating $12.8 million in equipment to the Guatemalan armed forces. This donation includes essential items such as vehicle parts, boats, communication equipment, and personal protection gear, all aimed at bolstering the nation’s defense infrastructure. General Richardson’s presence during this donation ceremony underscores the U.S. commitment to supporting Guatemala’s efforts in strengthening its military capabilities and enhancing its ability to combat organized crime.
In addition to the equipment donation, General Richardson and Minister Saenz signed a Cooperative Situational Information Integration (CSII) agreement, which updates a previous agreement established in 2014. This new CSII agreement allows both nations to securely share air, maritime, and land tracking data in near real-time, enhancing their collaborative efforts in countering illicit trafficking, disaster response, and territorial monitoring. The visit reinforced the U.S. commitment to working with Guatemala not only in security cooperation but also in advancing human rights and integrating women into security, peace, and defense missions, thereby contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
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