QUITO, Ecuador (Sept. 14, 2022) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command meets with Ecuador's Minister of Defense Gen. Luis Eduardo Lara to discuss the U.S.- Ecuador defense partnership. Richardson joined defense leaders from 10 nations to discuss security challenges and regional cooperation during South American Defense Conference 2022 (SOUTHDEC 22), hosted by Ecuador Sept. 14-15, 2022. (Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Caruso, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs)