U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), is set to visit Guatemala City on Wednesday, May 21. This marks his first official visit to the country in his current role.
During his three-day stay, Admiral Holsey will engage in bilateral meetings with key Guatemalan figures including President Bernardo Arévalo, Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz Ramos, Chief of Defense Brigadier General Hermelindo Choz Soc, and other defense leaders.
The discussions will focus on enhancing the longstanding security partnership between the United States and Guatemala. The agenda includes collaborative efforts to tackle regional and cyber security threats and challenges that concern both nations.
Security cooperation between the two countries emphasizes joint actions against transnational criminal organizations and other harmful entities. It also covers disaster preparedness, border and cyber security initiatives, as well as promoting respect for human rights. Infrastructure cooperation will be another topic of discussion between Admiral Holsey and President Arévalo.
In addition to these meetings, Admiral Holsey will attend CENTAM GUARDIAN 25, an annual multinational exercise aimed at improving interoperability among forces from participating Central American and Caribbean nations. He will deliver remarks at its closing ceremony.
CENTAM GUARDIAN involves over 800 troops from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and the United States. The exercise focuses on strengthening domain awareness, information sharing capabilities, and counter-threat measures.
"These multinational exercises demonstrate our forces’ cooperation and shared commitment to global stability and security," said a statement regarding CENTAM GUARDIAN 25. It highlights a commitment to peace and prosperity along with maintaining agile forces ready for dynamic security challenges today.