WHAT: Media is invited to cover Colombian Army Maj. Gen. Luis Navarro Jiménez’ arrival and the SOUTHCOM commander’s remarks.
WHO: U.S. Navy Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, will welcome Colombian Army Maj. Gen. Luis Navarro Jiménez, Commanding General of the Colombian Military Forces. The two leaders will meet privately to discuss U.S.-Colombia defense cooperation. Jiménez and Faller will also participate in a roundtable with other SOUTHCOM leaders focused on U.S. Southern Command’s mission and its cooperation with Colombia and other partners in the region.
WHEN: RSVD’d PRESS ARE ASKED TO ARRIVE NLT 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 to allow for parking and required security scans. The arrival and remarks will take place at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: Gate 2, SOUTHCOM headquarters, 9301 NW 33rd St., Doral, Fla. 33172 (the gate is the second entrance west of the Miami Herald building).
WHY: The enduring military partnership between the United States and Colombia dates back decades. Colombian and U.S. troops served under the United Nations Command during the Korean conflict. For many decades, U.S. and Colombian troops have worked alongside each other during exercises, humanitarian assistance missions, professional exchanges, and security operations to counter transnational threats. Today, the two countries also partner to help other countries build capacity and address security challenges. Recent examples of U.S.-Colombia defense cooperation include support for the hospital ship USNS Comfort’s medical assistance mission in 2018 and the ongoing, civilian-led delivery of humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations in Venezuela and host-countries in the region.
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IMPORTANT NOTE TO NEWS DESKS: Media interested in covering this visit should contact the Public Affairs Office with the names of reporters and/or photographers no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19. For security reasons, press RSVP and display of press credentials are required for access to the event. Display of press credentials is required while on the complex.
BIOGRAPHIES:
U.S. Navy Admiral Craig Faller: https://www.southcom.mil/About/Leadership/Bio-Article-View/Article/992093/adm-craig-s-faller/
Colombia Army Major General Luis Fernando Navarro Jiménez: https://www.cgfm.mil.co/es/conocenos/nuestro-comandante
EXAMPLES OF U.S.-COLOMBIA DEFENSE COOPERATION:
• Hospital ship USNS Comfort medical assistance mission
181121-N-FG807-2001 TURBO, Colombia (Nov. 21, 2018) In Turbo, Colombia, the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) treated 5,587 patients at a land-based medical site and aboard the ship. Comfort is on an 11-week medical support mission to Central and South America as part of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative. Working with health and government partners in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Honduras, the embarked medical team will provide care on board and at land-based medical sites, helping to relieve pressure on national medical systems caused partly by an increase in cross-border migrants. The deployment reflects the United States’ enduring promise of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Americas. (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin Alexondra Lowe/Released)
181201-N-FG807-1001 RIOHACHA, Colombia (Dec. 1, 2018) In Riohacha, Colombia, the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) treated 4,943 patients at land-based medical sites and aboard the ship. Comfort is on an 11-week medical support mission to Central and South America as part of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative. Working with health and government partners in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Honduras, the embarked medical team will provide care on board and at land-based medical sites, helping to relieve pressure on national medical systems caused partly by an increase in cross-border migrants. The deployment reflects the United States’ enduring promise of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Americas. (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin Alexondra Lowe/Released)
(Video)
• Humanitarian aid airlift mission
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2019/02/289513.htm
(Video)
(Fact Sheet) https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/press-releases/feb-16-2019-united-states-provides-second-tranche-humanitarian-assistance-cucuta
• Colombian hosted multinational maritime exercise
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/291208/colombia-takes-lead-unitas-lix-hosts-multinational-exercise
• Current and former Colombian president visits to SOUTHCOM
Current Colombian President Ivan Duque -- https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/1575023/colombian-president-elect-ivan-duque-visits-us-southern-command/
Former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos -- https://www.southcom.mil/News/PressReleases/Article/1502697/release-colombian-president-visits-thanks-southcom-for-its-support/