U.S. Army General Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Guatemala April 15-18, meeting with President Bernardo Arévalo and senior defense leaders, as well as taking part in the Central American Security Conference 2024 (CENTSEC).
The trip to Guatemala was Gen. Richardson’s first official visit to the country. The commander’s contingent included SOUTHCOM Civilian Deputy to the Commander Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch, and Senior Enlisted Leader Sergeant Major Rafael Rodriguez.
During her first day in the country, Gen. Richardson and U.S. Ambassador Tobin Bradley met with President Arévalo to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Guatemala security partnership.
Later on that same day, Gen. Richardson and the ambassador met with Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Sáenz and Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense General Staff Brigadier General Carlos Antonio Medina Juárez to discuss collaborative efforts to address regional security challenges.
On April 16, Gen. Richardson and Ambassador Bradley traveled to Santo Tomás de Castilla near the Guatemala-Honduras border to meet with leaders and service members who are operating in the area to counter transnational criminal organizations and illicit trafficking. Later, Gen. Richardson, Bradley and Guatemala’s Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez visited a UNICEF Guatemala migration center on the Guatemalan-Honduras border to learn about the humanitarian care work that UNICEF provides to children in migratory status.
That same day, Gen. Richardson, Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez joined Minister Sáenz, senior Guatemalan military leaders, and service members for a Women, Peace, and Security discussion focused on the importance of harnessing the talent and contributions of women in the security and defense sectors.
From April 17-18, Gen. Richardson joined senior U.S. defense and regional security leaders for CENTSEC 2024.
Security cooperation between the United States and Guatemala focuses on shared interests including combating transnational criminal organizations and other malign actors; disaster preparedness; cyber security; promoting respect for human rights; and the expanded integration of women in security, peace, and defense missions. (https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/southcom-commander-meets-with-guatemalan-leaders-central-american-security-chiefs-in-guatemala/)
