MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil and Chile sign 13 agreements, including two key defense ones

Defense Ministers Adriana Delpiano and José Mucio Monteiro agreed to join forces to tackle common challenges

Defense Ministers Adriana Delpiano of Chile and José Mucio Monteiro of Brazil signed Tuesday two agreements: one for exchanging instructor officers between Chile’s Joint Peace Operations Training Center (Cecopac) and its Brazilian counterpart (Ccopab) to enhance peacekeeping training, and another for academic cooperation between Chile’s National Academy of Political and Strategic Studies (ANEPE) and the Brazilian Defense College (ESD) to advance research and training in security and defense.

The signing took place during the first-ever Chile-Brazil Friendship Day celebrations marked by Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font's official visit, during which a total of 13 agreements were signed, covering also public security, science, technology, culture, and the fight against transnational organized crime.

Discussions emphasized regional integration, including a bioceanic route connecting ports, and economic ties, with Brazil as Chile’s top South American trading partner.

Chile and Brazil first established diplomatic relations on April 22, 1836, and Tuesday's events highlighted the continuity of a historical link.

During their meeting, Delpiano and Mucio Monteiro reviewed priority issues of the common agenda in Defense, with emphasis on industrial and technical cooperation. Both agreed on the need to consolidate collaboration mechanisms that promote joint capabilities.

The first agreement seeks to promote the exchange of Instructor Officers to strengthen preparation for peace missions under international standards.

The second understanding provides for an academic alliance to promote research and training in security and defense with a focus on regional challenges.

Boric and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also discussed cooperation against transnational organized crime and the importance of regional integration through the bioceanic route. They both underscored the need for regional unity in the face of the United States' new migration policies and stressed the importance of maintaining balanced trade relations with foreign powers.