Paramaribo, 1 September 2022 (TDI): The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)’s Commander, General Laura Richardson met with the defense officials of Suriname. General Richardson held bilateral discussions with the defense minister of Suriname, Krishna Mathoera.
#SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson met with Suriname Minister of Defense Krishna Mathoera & Commander of the Suriname Armed Forces Lt. Col. Werner Kioe A Sen today in Paramaribo. Discussions focused on expanding security cooperation between both nations. @USEmbassyParbo pic.twitter.com/rVRiITiZ3P
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 31, 2022
The US SOUTHCOM’s commander also met with the Commander of the Armed Forces of Suriname, Lt. Colonel Werner K. A. Sen in Paramaribo.
The meeting between the defense officials of Suriname and the US encouraged the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security initiative.
In #Suriname today, Gen. Laura Richardson, Amb. Karen Williams, Amb. Jean Manes, & CSM Benjamin Jones joined Minister of Defense Krishna Mathoera & Suriname troops to discuss #WomenPeaceandSecurity & the meaningful inclusion of women in security & defense roles. @USEmbassyParbo pic.twitter.com/gzTJTBp7EA
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 31, 2022
The areas of discussion were bilateral security and defense cooperation. The main area of focus was to expand the defense cooperation between Suriname and the United States.
General Richardson met the other military officials of Suriname. She and Command Sergeant Maj. Benjamin Jones paid an official visit to the Military Academy of Suriname. The officials of the US SOUTHCOM also had a discussion with the staff and students at the academy.
The Commander of the US SOUTHCOM also took a part in the book donation for the Military Academy of Suriname.
#StrengtheningPartnerships: Today in #Suriname, #SOUTHCOM’s Gen. Laura Richardson & Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones visited the Surinamese Military Academy, engaging with leaders, students & staff & also taking part in a donation of books to the academy. @USEmbassyParbo pic.twitter.com/U1hHLQXziB
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 31, 2022
Visit to Disaster Relief Center
General Richardson paid a visit to the office of the National Coordination Center for Disaster Relief in Suriname. She interacted with the staff and officials there and also observed the preparedness measures of Suriname in response to the disaster.
#SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Laura Richardson visited #Suriname’s National Coordination Center for Disaster Relief today to meet with leadership & staff to discuss coordination for regional disaster preparedness & response. @USEmbassyParbo pic.twitter.com/IzYRZypjVr
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) August 31, 2022
Profile of the US-Suriname Defense Cooperation
The US and Suriname attained a closer security and defense relationship. Both sides are part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) since 2010. CBSI works as a security partnership of several Latin American and Caribbean states along with the US.
Both sides had coordinated under the CBSI to prevent organized crimes on a transnational basis. Both States are also engaged in intelligence cooperation to deal with non-traditional security threats like drug and human trafficking in the region.
Through assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US Embassy in Suriname, CBSI provided equipment to the law enforcement and military of Suriname.
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’s Commander, General Laura Richardson met with the defense officials of Suriname. Read more...){kind=link}