MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 28th 2024 - 15:46 UTC

 

 

Seventeen nations in military exercise for the protection of the Panama Canal

Thursday, August 9th 2012 - 06:18 UTC
Full article 5 comments
More than 600 military personnel are involved in this year’s PANAMAX More than 600 military personnel are involved in this year’s PANAMAX

This year’s PANAMAX exercise kicked off on Monday involving representatives from 17 hemispheric countries with the purpose of practicing methods of protecting the safe passage of commercial traffic through the Panama Canal while ensuring its neutrality and respecting national sovereignty.

US Navy Rear Admiral Sinclair Harris and Brazilian Rear Admiral Wilson Pereira de Lima Filho welcomed partner-nation participants on the inauguration of the exercise. PANAMAX includes training for many of the 21st century threats encountered in today’s land, sea, air and cyber environments according to a US Navy release.

More than 600 military personnel have travelled to Mayport, Florida for the exercise, including 170 guests from partner nations. The participating nations are Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and the United States.

PANAMAX began in 2003 with three countries: Panama, Chile and the United States.

“This exercise is designed to execute stability operations under the support of United Nations Security Council resolutions; provide interoperability training for the participating multinational staffs; and build participating nation capability to plan and execute complex multinational operations,” said Harris, commander of US Naval Forces Southern Command and the U.S. 4th Fleet.

Simulated training for PANAMAX will be held at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas; Miami; and Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

“One of the most important benefits of multinational exercises like PANAMAX is the fact that all the participants will be able to exchange their experiences, expertise, and will gain new knowledge about each other’s culture and people,” Harris said.

“These interactions strengthen our bonds across the region and foster long-lasting friendships and an understanding among the partner nations, ultimately benefiting the security of the region”, said the US Navy top officer.

 

Categories: Politics, Latin America.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • Frank

    Good to see all the South American nations of any consequence attending.

    Aug 09th, 2012 - 08:17 am 0
  • GeoffWard2

    .... and I remember when the French and the British undertook the same practising of methods of protecting the safe passage of commercial traffic through the Suez Canal while ensuring its neutrality and respecting national sovereignty ;-(

    Aug 09th, 2012 - 09:38 am 0
  • PirateLove

    @2 yes, and we get the job done? HOOAHH the fact you remember is a lesson learnt to all backward south american tinpot ceespits

    Aug 09th, 2012 - 11:14 am 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!