NATO to enhance military and maritime security cooperation with Colombia

Americas, Europe, News July 18, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO International Military Staff (IMS) Cooperative Security division, SHAPE, and NATO’s Land and Air Commands officials visited Colombia to enhance military cooperation.

NATO representatives visited the capital city of Bogotá and Naval Base ARC Bolívar in Cartagena, Colombia from July 11 to 14 and attended staff-to-staff talks with Colombian military officials.

During the meetings, both sides discussed NATO-Colombia military cooperation and maritime security and agreed to enhance training, exercises, and NATO courses.

Director of the IMS Cooperative Security, Major General Francesco Diella met with Colombian Chief of Defense General Luis Fernando Navarro Jiménez. Major General Diella highlighted the value of the NATO-Colombia military partnership and said that “Since 2017, we have continued to strengthen our dialogue and cooperation, including on regional security, the fight against corruption, terrorism, disinformation and cyber threats. We are grateful to Colombia for becoming our first South America partner and for setting an example in the region.”

According to the NATO press release, defense officials also discussed the “practical modalities of the new Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITTP), which was signed in December 2021.”

Colombia is the first partner to transition into such a new program, which covers areas for enhanced cooperation such as interoperability, building integrity, training, and education, as well as new areas like climate change and security. The NATO delegation then provided a comprehensive briefing on opportunities to join NATO training, courses, and exercises.

Deputy Director of the IMS Cooperative Security Colonel Juan Martinez-Esparza said that “By working and training more closely together, we will continue to build and strengthen the ties that unite NATO and Colombia, reinforcing the work we do together.”

*^{Colombian National Navy Ship (Armada de Colombia). (Image Credit: cimsec)}*

During the meeting, the Colombian delegation also provided a series of briefings on national areas of interest, such as “maritime security, air and space opportunities and challenges as well as ongoing national initiatives.”

Colombian National Army Training Centre, the Colombian Future Army Transformation Command, the Colombian Transnational Threat Command, and the Colombian Disaster Relief Brigade also gave presentations and shared their expertise.

Before visiting the Naval Base ARC Bolívar in Cartagena, NATO military officials also observed a demonstration by the Air Assault Division Capabilities.