News in brief: South America

Venezuela’s show of force

  Amid ongoing tensions triggered by the United States’ (US’) naval deployment to the Caribbean in opposition to Venezuela’s alleged support for illegal drug trade, Venezuela conducted a three-day military exercise, “Sovereign Caribbean 200”, in September. The drill showcased 12 naval vessels, 20 patrol boats, and 22 aircraft, including the Russian-built Su-30 fighter jets equipped with anti-ship missiles, and comprised 2,500 troops overseeing air, sea, and land manoeuvres to show the country’s defence, CNN reported.

In October, a Russian military transport aircraft, the Ilyushin Il-76, reached Venezuela. The heavy-lift cargo specialist is also linked to the former Wagner mercenary group, as per the media reports.

Massive military exercise in the Amazon

  As part of the final phase of the Operation Atlas 2025, Brazil initiated a large-scale manoeuvre with over 10,000 personnel from the country’s Armed Forces in October, according to the Argentine news portal Zona Militar.

Among the largest recent military exercises in the Amazon aimed at improving interoperability and combat, Operation Atlas saw the deployment of the multipurpose vessel Atlântico, the largest military ship in South America, on the eastern front. In north Brazil, the Army and Air Force jointly displayed 500 armoured and tactical vehicles and artillery systems.

Tri-nation display of naval strength

  In a bid to boost regional security and combined defence, the three-phase BRACOLPER 2025 multinational riverine exercise finally concluded in October, showcasing tri-national cooperation between the navies of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru in the Amazon basin, the US-based SeaWaves Magazine reported.

The 51st edition of the exercise demonstrated military activities like protocol ceremonies, nautical parades, tactical manoeuvres, shooting drills, river control missions, cyber defence drills, and crisis procedures, aligned with global standards.

Uruguay to buy third Agusta-Bell helicopter 

  After numerous bureaucratic and budgetary delays, the Uruguayan Navy received the nod to purchase its third Agusta-Bell AB-412 helicopter after presidential authorisation,in October, according to the Argentine news portal Zona Militar. The next process includes fine-tuning the long-standing negotiation with the helicopter’s Italy-based manufacturer Leonardo. The AB-412 is specialised in operational tasks and improved logistical performance in maritime environments.