MIAMI (Sept. 26, 2021) -- U.S. Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, wrapped up a week-long trip to Colombia and Brazil yesterday where he met with military leaders to discuss security cooperation.
The trip aimed to strengthen ties and cooperation with two of the United States’ closest regional partners. SOUTHCOM’s Civilian Deputy to the Commander Francisco (Paco) Palmieri accompanied Faller during the trip.
During his stop in Colombia Sept. 19-21, Faller met with Minister of Defense Diego Molano and other top Colombian defense officials to discuss the regional security environment and continued cooperation. The admiral also visited the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva, a Colombian military facility that provides rehabilitation services for Colombia’s wounded warriors.
On Sept. 21, Faller took part in a ceremony at which the U.S. donated two C-130H Hercules aircraft to Colombia’s Military Air Transport Command (CATAM) that will strengthen the nation’s troop transport, humanitarian and fire control capabilities. The U.S. Air Force transferred the aircraft directly to the country as part of the ramp-to-ramp program.
Minister of Defense Molano also presented Faller with the military medal in the Grand Cross category for distinguished service thanking him for his work to strengthen the U.S.-Colombia security partnership.
The U.S. and Colombia share a strong, longstanding partnership focused on regional security and counter-illicit trafficking.
During his visit to Brazil Sept. 21-25, Faller met with military leaders to discuss the expanding cooperative defense ties between the Western Hemisphere’s two largest democracies.
On Sept. 22 in Brasilia, the admiral met with Brazil's Chief of the Joint Armed Forces Staff, Gen. Laerte de Souza Santos, and top defense leadership to discuss regional security and the growing defense partnership between both nations. The next day in Brasilia, Faller visited with the team at Brazil’s Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE) to get a firsthand look at how the agency plans, coordinates, executes, and controls the country’s aerospace operations.
In Rio de Janeiro Sept. 23, Faller visited Brazil’s Peace Operations Joint Training Center (CCOPAB) to see how the center prepares their armed forces for peacekeeping missions. Brazil is significant contributor to United Nations’ peacekeeping missions worldwide.
On Sept. 24 in Rio de Janeiro, Faller met with Brazilian navy leaders to discuss regional security and efforts to expand U.S.-Brazil military-to-military cooperation. Faller also spent time with students and staff at the Escola Superior de Gurerra, Brazil’s war college. Faller talked about the historic U.S-Brazil defense partnership and shared insights about the region’s security environment.
Brazil and the United States enjoy an increasingly close bilateral relationship. Both nations work together on wide range of partnership activities such as research and development, information exchanges, training and education, joint military exercises, cyber security, and the peaceful use of space.