On March 5, 2019, BGen Stephen Lacroix, accompanied by Ms. Isabel Niewola, Executive Director of the Inter-American Foundation (IADF), met with MGen Luis Navarro and MGen Ricardo Jim\u00e9nez, Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. BGen Lacroix expressed his great appreciation to the Colombian Armed Forces for providing the IADB with outstanding officers and leaders and for their continued support of the OAS\/IADB humanitarian demining programs in Colombia.<\/p>\n
In the company of MGen Navarro, BGen Lacroix took advantage of this unique opportunity to present the IADB Medal for Meritorious Services to three Battalion Commanders of the Colombian Humanitarian Demining Brigade: Lieutenant Colonel Omar Ignacio Leal (No. 60 \u2013 in the photo) , Lieutenant Colonel Fabian Andres Aristizabal Zapata (No. 2) and Lieutenant Colonel Lothar Gelves Suarez (No. 1) to recognize their outstanding contributions and support to the Inter-American Group of Monitors (GMI) and the Inter-American Technical Advisory Group (GATI).<\/p>\n
In his final comments, MGen Navarro reiterated that he will allocate dedicated logistical and human resources to the IADB's First "Cyber Defense Conference: Western Hemisphere", which will take place from May 14 to 15, 2019 in Bogot\u00e1. Immediately afterwards, the IADB delegation proceeded to the Joint Cyber Command (CCOC) and was received by its Commander, Captain (N) Javier Mart\u00ednez. Capt. (N) Mart\u00ednez expressed interest in strengthening cyber education and information exchange at the hemispheric level and praised the efforts of the IADB and the IADF to this end. The CCOC was proud to be at the forefront of the region's cyber efforts and looks forward to co-hosting this Cyber Defense Conference with the IADB.<\/p>\n
Later that same day, DG JID and Ms. Niewola met with Dr. Victor Mu\u00f1oz, Presidential Advisor for Innovation and Digital Transformation. Dr. Mu\u00f1oz agreed that a Hemispheric Cyber Defense Strategy could benefit the Americas. He also indicated that Colombia would be interested in playing a role in sharing its experiences to date and would contribute to hemispheric efforts in this regard.<\/p>\n
On March 7, BGen Lacroix met with US Colonel (Ret.) Carlos Calder\u00f3n, of the Comprehensive Action against Antipersonnel Mines (AICMA), with the Commander of GMI, Capt (N) Dalton Barros (BRA) and with the GATI Commander, Maj Aminthas Neto (BRA). They provided an update on their operations since DG JID's last visit in June 2018.<\/p>\n
This engagement and visit by a key leader was an ideal opportunity for IADB leaders to express their gratitude to the Colombian Military Force for its continued support and commitment to the IADB and hemispheric security and for the leadership demonstrated in training personnel. military in Humanitarian Demining. It also proved to be a timely opportunity to confirm and coordinate crucial planning details for the Cyber Defense Conference in person.<\/p>\n
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