Staff-to-staff meetings with Colombian military leaders were held in Bogotá from July 11 to July 14, 2022, by representatives of the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) Cooperative Security division, SHAPE, and NATO’s Land and Air Commands.
The military cooperation between Colombia and NATO, including Colombia’s participation in NATO courses, exercises, and training, as well as maritime security, were the main topics of discussion.
The delegation also went to the ARC Bolvar Naval Base in Cartagena.
In a meeting with General Luis Fernando Navarro Jiménez, the head of Colombia’s armed forces, Major General Francesco Diella, director of the IMS Cooperative Security, emphasized the importance of the military cooperation between NATO and Colombia.
Since 2017, we have kept up our efforts to improve our communication and cooperation, particularly in the areas of regional security, the struggle against fraud, terrorism, misinformation, and cyberthreats.
Major General Diella continued, “We are grateful to Colombia for becoming our first partner in South America and for leading by example in the area.
The practical details of the new Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITTP), which was signed in December 2021, were then negotiated by NATO and Colombian officials.
Colombia is the first partner to implement this new program, which encompasses both traditional sectors like climate change and security as well as new ones like interoperability, building integrity, training, and education.
The NATO delegation then gave a thorough introduction to the chances to take part in NATO training, courses, and exercises.
Colonel Juan Martinez-Esparza, Deputy Director of the IMS Cooperative Security, said, “By working and training more closely together, we will continue to create and reinforce the relationships that unite NATO and Colombia, reinforcing the work we undertake together.
The Colombian delegation led the second portion of the program and gave a number of briefings on national topics of interest, including marine security, opportunities and challenges in the air and space, as well as ongoing national projects.
The Colombian National Army Training Center, the Colombian Future Army Transformation Command, the Colombian Transnational Threat Command, and the Colombian Disaster Relief Brigade then gave presentations to the NATO team.
They were able to visit the Naval Base ARC Bolvar in Cartagena and watch a demonstration by the Air Assault Division Capabilities.