With U.S. support, Colombia strengthens national defense capabilities

The Minister of National Defense, Diego Molano Aponte, received from the hands of the United States Ambassador to Colombia, Phillip Seth Goldberg, the keys to the 20 M1117 ASV type vehicles, transferred by the Government of that nation to the National Army of Colombia, and that will be distributed among the tactical units that exercise sovereignty in border territories.

Thanks to the international cooperation that exists between the two countries, the new fleet of vehicles will support from today the tasks of mobility and maneuver, to strengthen security and national defense and increase the institutional presence in regions such as La Guajira, Norte de Santander and Arauca.

In his speech, the Minister of Defense  said that this cooperation effort will allow the National Army to continue with the fulfillment of the mission of guaranteeing both mobility on the roads, as well as the tranquility of the communities, so that the productive sector and citizens develop their activities and continue with the economic reactivation that Colombia requires.

"These new capabilities mean nothing more and nothing less than Colombia's security being strengthened. A safer democracy means a protected economy and lives saved across this border area," the defense minister said.

For his part, the Ambassador of the United States in Colombia, Phillip Goldberg celebrated the delivery of the first 20 armored vehicles out of a total of 145 that will be delivered to the Colombian army. "This  is just one of many examples of  how the U.S. Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the Government of Colombia, to strengthen military capabilities, confront threats, and achieve common goals"

ASV 4x4 M1117 vehicles are characterized by their technology, performance, interoperability, firepower and high mobility; they allow reconnaissance in difficult and extensive terrain, in less time, they also have armored capacity to guarantee protection to their crew.

The head of the Defense Ministry said that the vehicles will allow better control of the illegal activities that have been occurring at the border; such as trafficking in explosives, weapons and ammunition, which generate instability.

"This transfer will contribute to the protection and security of the Colombian State; of all its strategic resources; of the population, and of the troops themselves, who require an effort to strengthen their capabilities"

Accompanied by the General Commander of the Military Forces, and the commander of the National Army, the Minister  indicated that with the process of strengthening and repowering these teams, there will also be better equipped troops and soldiers who fulfill their mission in the border area to face the threats of drug trafficking and transnational crimes.

"Let the illegal armed groups, the FARC dissidents, and the ELN know that their pretensions to attack our soldiers, or to intimidate the population and generate displacement, will be fought more forcefully, because Colombia deserves Military Forces like those that today begin to mobilize along these border routes,  to ensure tranquility, security, progress and well-being that is required in this stage of reactivation, Molano concluded.