Brazil, Colombia, and Peru conducted the BRACOLPER 2024 multinational naval exercise in the Amazon, aimed at improving troop readiness against organized crime. With over 2,000 participants, the exercise emphasized the importance of cooperation in combating transnational crime. High-level discussions highlighted the rising threats posed by criminal organizations exploiting the region’s resources. This exercise marks 50 years of collaboration among these nations to ensure security and peace in the Amazon.
In the Amazon river border regions shared by Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, naval units from these nations engaged in a significant multinational military exercise termed BRACOLPER 2024. Conducted in three stages between July 17 and September 9, this exercise was reported by the Peruvian news agency Andina to be a strategic initiative aimed at equipping troops in their ongoing battle against organized crime, thereby enhancing regional security. This year’s iteration, which marks the 50th anniversary of the BRACOLPER exercises, involved over 2,000 service members and featured operations in the ports of Iquitos (Peru), Leticia (Colombia), and Manaus (Brazil). Andrei Serbin Pont, a defense specialist, emphasized the exercise’s role in reinforcing naval capabilities and fostering inter-riverine cooperation to combat transnational threats. During the second phase of the exercise, personnel conducted a series of maritime operations, including communication drills and patrolling activities in the waters between Leticia and Iquitos. The final phase saw Marines execute amphibious landings and tactical maneuvers in the jungle regions between Leticia and Manaus. Serbin Pont further noted the pressing issues of increasing criminal activities such as drug trafficking and illegal logging within the Amazon, highlighting that Brazil, Colombia, and Peru collectively govern 80 percent of this critical ecological territory. He articulated the necessity for these nations to collaborate effectively to address these mutual challenges and guarantee the Amazon’s integrity. The International Crisis Group, based in Brussels, described the heightened prevalence of various criminal organizations capitalizing on the minimal state presence and abundant natural resources in this region, which has led to an escalation of cross-border criminal activities. In response to these alarming trends, President Dina Boluarte of Peru recently announced the launch of the Amazon and National Surveillance System, aimed at safeguarding natural resources and enhancing sustainable resource management, coupled with a protective framework for vulnerable Amazonian communities. The Peruvian Navy deployed several vessels, including river gunboats, while the Brazilian Navy contributed patrol ships and a hospital vessel, and the Colombian Navy participated with its own gunboats. The synergy and partnership among the three nations underscore a shared commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the region in the face of emerging threats posed by organized crime. Serbin Pont concluded by affirming the critical importance of military interoperability among bordering nations in fostering regional security. Additionally, the Colombian Navy declared its intent to continue participating in international operations akin to BRACOLPER, which enhances naval proficiency and combats transnational crime effectively.
The multinational exercise BRACOLPER has been a collaborative effort by Brazil, Colombia, and Peru since its inception in 1974, aimed at conducting coordinated military operations in the Amazon. This initiative has grown in importance in light of increasing transnational crime threats in the Amazon basin, where drug trafficking and illegal resource extraction pose significant challenges to regional security. As these countries share a substantial portion of the Amazon environment, their military collaboration is crucial for managing the complex security landscape that arises from diverse and organized criminal enterprises leveraging the region’s natural wealth. Recent initiatives, such as Peru’s Amazon and National Surveillance System, demonstrate a proactive approach to both resource management and community protection, striving for sustainability and security in the Amazon.
In summary, the BRACOLPER 2024 exercise symbolizes a robust alliance among Brazil, Colombia, and Peru in addressing organized crime and safeguarding the heavily shared Amazon region. Through coordinated military operations and various training phases, the countries reinforce their commitment to regional stability amidst a backdrop of increasing criminal activity. The collaborative efforts in this joint exercise not only aim to enhance military interoperability, but also highlight the critical need for effective governance and community protection in managing the complex challenges faced in the Amazon.
Original Source: dialogo-americas.com
