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Americas agree to boost cooperation against transnational threats
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Americas agree to boost cooperation against transnational threats

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Defense ministers and representatives from 33 American countries signed the 'Declaration of Cusco' to enhance hemispheric cooperation.
  • The agreement focuses on combating transnational threats, protecting critical infrastructure, and improving humanitarian aid and cyber defense.
  • Peru transferred the pro tempore presidency of the conference to the United States.

Defense ministers and representatives from 33 nations across the Americas have committed to strengthening hemispheric cooperation and tackling transnational threats by signing the 'Declaration of Cusco'. The agreement, reached at the 17th Conference of Ministers of Defense of the Americas (CMDA) in Peru, reaffirms the importance of collective action against organized crime, terrorism, illicit economies, and emerging challenges.

The declaration underscores a commitment to international law and the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of American States, and the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Key areas of focus include enhancing information exchange, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and bolstering cooperation in cyber defense and cybersecurity. Participants also agreed to strengthen regional collaboration on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, including crisis simulation exercises.

Defense cooperation is more effective when it is based on transparency, good faith, and recognition of common interests.

— Amadeo FloresThe Peruvian Minister of Defense on the outcomes of the conference.

Peruvian Minister of Defense Amadeo Flores, who presided over the conference, highlighted that defense cooperation is most effective when built on transparency, good faith, and shared interests. He noted the "frank, respectful, and results-oriented dialogue" that led to a shared vision for hemispheric security. Despite linguistic differences, Flores emphasized that working together allows the hemisphere to face common challenges and build a more secure region.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Peru transferred the pro tempore presidency of the CMDA to the United States, represented by Assistant Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby. The conference brought together representatives from numerous countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States, among others.

We speak different languages, but we face common challenges and by working together we can strengthen and unite a more secure hemisphere.

— Amadeo FloresConcluding remarks on hemispheric collaboration.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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