Quito, 15 September 2022 (TDI): The South American Defense Conference 2022 was conducted in Ecuador and hosted by the Ecuadorian Defense Ministry. The senior official of the Ecuadorian Defense Ministry presided over the conference.
#Quito
Se realizó la Inauguración de la Conferencia Sudamericana de Defensa 2022, esta actividad estuvo presidida por los Srs. Grad. S.P Luis Lara, Ministro @DefensaEc, Grad. Nelson Proaño, Jefe de CC.FF.AA, embajadores, autoridades civiles y militares de los países participantes pic.twitter.com/fdj5IpZvnU— FFAAECUADOR (@FFAAECUADOR) September 14, 2022
The military officials of Ecuador along with Ambassadors and civil-military officials from other South American states were also present at the conference.
There was also participation by General Laura Richardson, Commander of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
Hoy se inauguró la Conferencia Sudamericana de Defensa 2022, con la participación del ministro de @DefensaEc, Grad. Luis Lara; Gral. Laura Richardson, Comandante de @Southcom; el jefe del Comando Conjunto de @FFAAECUADOR Grad. Nelson Proaño y autoridades de defensa de la región. pic.twitter.com/D6Oggh3iFy
— Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador (@DefensaEc) September 14, 2022
The discussion pointed out the important aspects of cooperation. The US and Ecuador along with other partner American states acknowledged strengthening the collective defense of the region.
There was also a discussion on the fight against numerous traditional and non-traditional threats at the conference.
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The officials of the Special Forces of Ecuador stressed strengthening the capacities of fighting cyber threats. The discussion also focused on combatting drugs, arms, and human trafficking.
Esta conferencia es uno de los foros de discusión más importantes en materia de seguridad y defensa para la región, la cual fortalece la cooperación institucional y la lucha conjunta contra las amenazas comunes como el narcotráfico, tráfico de armas, ciberseguridad, entre otras. pic.twitter.com/puNWuhViD3
— Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador (@DefensaEc) September 14, 2022
Participation of US SOUTHCOM
The Commander of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), General Laura Richardson also took part in the conference and stressed continuous support to South America. She was accompanied by General Daniel Hokanson.
El ministro de Defensa Grad. Luis Lara, recibió la visita de la General Laura Richardson, Comandante del @Southcom y del General Daniel Hokanson, Comandante de la Guardia Nacional con su delegación en la visita oficial al Ecuador para la Conferencia Sudamericana de Defensa 2022. pic.twitter.com/7Kc3THfEjG
— Ministerio de Defensa Nacional del Ecuador (@DefensaEc) September 13, 2022
General Richardson discussed the priorities of cybersecurity along with the focus on environmental security and sharing of information among the South American states.
She also stressed the collaboration with Ecuador as well as other partners in the field of Space Security.
Today #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson joins regional security leaders for the South American Defense Conference #SOUTHDEC22 hosted by Ecuador. Leaders are discussing regional security, including environmental, space, information & cyber security. @USembassyEC pic.twitter.com/L5odFkMN0O
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) September 14, 2022
The Commander of the US SOUTHCOM met the military officials of other South American states. The officials of the Armed Forces of Guyana discussed important affairs with the American General.
#SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson met today with Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Bess during #SOUTHDEC22 to discuss the longstanding security partnership with Guyana. @EmbassyGuyana pic.twitter.com/jbCLYxLDoJ
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) September 14, 2022
Guyana’s Military Chief Godfrey Bess, who participated in the South American Defense Conference 2022, was appreciated by General Richardson for sustaining the partnership. The two sides also talked about important developments in South America.
US officials held bilateral talks with the Commander of the Suriname Armed Forces, Lt. Colonel Werner Kioe Sen. The talks included the strengthening of partnership on a multilateral and bilateral basis.
Today at #SOUTHDEC22 in Ecuador, #SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson met with Commander of the Suriname Armed Forces Lt. Col. Werner Kioe A Sen to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Suriname bilateral security partnership. @USEmbassyParbo pic.twitter.com/anzLiscouV
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) September 14, 2022
US Ambassador to Ecuador’s Remarks
The US Ambassador to Ecuador, Mike Fitzpatrick added that participation in this conference was important.
#EmbMikeFitzpatrick: “Estoy muy orgulloso que 🇪🇨 sea co-anfitrión con 🇺🇸 de la Conferencia de Defensa Suramericana 2022 (SOUTHDEC), la cual determinará la cooperación futura entre las fuerzas de seguridad de 🇺🇸 y sus socios para contribuir a una región más segura y estable”. pic.twitter.com/Yv1Jyeh7oP
— US Embassy Ecuador (@USembassyEC) September 14, 2022
He also assured diplomatic support by the US for strengthening the multilateral partnerships between the states of the region.
