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Ana Catalina Cano, Viceminister for Veterans and GSED – Ministry of Nacional Defense of Colombia explains the role of Expodefensa for the Colombian Ministry of Defence, but also for the Defence and Security sector. This major event serves as a hub for Latin America and the Caribbean, showcasing the capabilities of the armed forces and highlighting the potential of the defence sector for the civilian population. The 2023 edition of Expodefensa innovates with a “dual” concept, beneficial to both defence and civilian needs.

Expodefensa stands as a significant opportunity for the Defense sector to showcase advancements and future projections of human security in Colombia. Aligned with the National Development Plan and sectoral policies, Casur adopts this concept to strengthen its commitment to the well-being of veteran police affiliates, emphasizing equality, inclusion, and equity.

The Colombian Civil Defense, sees Expodefensa 2023 as a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge in national and international Security and Defense. Their new vision is emphasizing human security, social justice, and sustainable development for the well-being of all Colombians.

Wilson Fernando Vaquer Rodríguez emphasizes the significant expectations and strategic projections for Expodefensa. Indumil aims to establish alliances to enhance both the commercial and technical aspects of the Colombian military industry. The ambitious goal for the 2040 projection is to enhance and expand weaponry capabilities across air, land, and naval domains.

Caja Honor will participate in Expodefensa 2023 with the aim of providing financial services and products to all members of the armed forces affiliated with the institution. The focus will be on showcasing housing solutions, credit lines, and savings accounts.

Caja Honor will participate in Expodefensa 2023 with the aim of providing financial services and products to all members of the armed forces affiliated with the institution. The focus will be on showcasing housing solutions, credit lines, and savings accounts.

Within the CITAE, the goal at Expodefensa 2023 is to explore the capabilities of invited countries such as Spain, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic, to identify opportunities for cooperation in the aerial, spatial, and cyber domains. The focus is on comprehending industry advancements and military forces’ progress, particularly in space—the new frontier for the Colombian aerospace force.

The government has identified transnational threats, including transnational crime, requiring a fundamental response through strategic alliances. President Gustavo Petro emphasizes the need to strengthen national and transnational alliances to combat various crimes, involving increased collaboration in cooperation, intelligence, information sharing, and judicial cooperation, with ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation with neighboring countries.

Colombia is aiming for the first time at a security policy centered on the theory of human security, with the goal of anticipating, preventing, and building a dignified life. The four objectives of the Colombian government are to protect life, the environment, territorial sovereignty, and to strengthen the public force by addressing issues such as conflict resolution, crime prevention, environmental preservation, defense against cyber attack, international cooperation, and border defense.

The current Defence and Security environment is facing new threats, requiring the industry to adapt to the challenges of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Cyberspace. These crucial issues will guide the industry’s efforts towards innovative strategies with a dual purpose: understanding the new threats and proposing innovative solutions for the public. Concrete responses to contemporary challenges are presented through projects by the GSED and the Colombian Ministry of Defence, including the construction of a Colombian frigate in partnership with the Colombian Navy and Cotecmar, the development of alternative energies with the use of green hydrogen on ships, and the focus on the development of unmanned aircraft, which is attracting a great deal of interest from the national government.

In recent years, border security has remained at the heart of cooperation between Europe and South America. On the backdrop of increasing migratory flows, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and environmental crime are giving cause for concern. Eurofront, a European project deployed across four strategic borders in South America, has been working for three years to strengthen integrated border management capabilities and combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. This North-South cooperation could be given a new lease of life following the EU-CELAC summit last July. We met the Commissioner of the Spanish National Police, José Antonio Cambronero, who is also Director of Component 1 of the Eurofront programme. By Geoffrey Comte

A member of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, the Spanish MEP is an advocate of human rights, democracy and public security at the heart of the Americas. A long-running combat in which he would like to see “the cultural and historical proximity between the European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries converted into genuine policies” to guarantee the autonomy and stability of both continents. Extract from the interview with Leopoldo López Gil.

Combating money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is at the heart of Latin America's actions. In charge of this task is the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America (GAFILAT), bringing together 18 countries committed to fighting the expansion of criminal networks. We met its Executive Secretary, Argentinian lawyer Esteban Fullin. By Geoffrey Comte