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	Gen. Richardson Visits Colombia, Brazil
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        <h1 class="title">Gen. Richardson Visits Colombia, Brazil</h1>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, is greeted with honors upon arrival to Colombia."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, is greeted with honors upon arrival to Colombia. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Colombia)</div>
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                 alt="BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security partnership."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security partnership. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Colombia)</div>
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                 alt="BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security partnership."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BOGOTA, Colombia (May 21, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Colombian President Gustavo Petro to discuss the U.S.-Colombia security partnership. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Colombia)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro to discuss the longstanding U.S.-Brazil defense partnership."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BRASILIA, Brazil (May 25, 2023) – U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro to discuss the longstanding U.S.-Brazil defense partnership. Richardson visited Brazil May 23 - 26 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Brazil)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (left), U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, and Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro pose for a photo."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, and Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro pose for a photo. The leaders met to discuss the longstanding U.S.-Brazil defense partnership. Richardson visited Brazil May 23 - 26 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy Brazilian Ministry of Defense)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, to discuss strengthening cooperation"
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BRASILIA, Brazil (May 24, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, to discuss strengthening cooperation. Richardson visited Brazil May 23 - 26 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Brazil)</div>
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                 alt=".S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on the integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BOGOTA, Colombia (May 22, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on the integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Colombia)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on the integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BOGOTA, Colombia (May 22, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, takes part in a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on the integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Colombia)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joined U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BRASILIA, Brazil (May 24, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joined U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims. Richardson visited Brazil May 23 - 26 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Brazil)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joins U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BRASILIA, Brazil (May 24, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joins U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims. Richardson visited Brazil May 23 - 26 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Brazil)</div>
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                 alt="BRASILIA, Brazil (May 24, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joins U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">BRASILIA, Brazil (May 24, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, joins U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Brazil military leaders and service members to discuss the role of women in security during an event focused on Women, Peace, and Security aims. Richardson visited Brazil May 23 - 26 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Brazil)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">COLOMBIA (May 22, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy Colombian Military Forces)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">COLOMBIA (May 22, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy Colombian Military Forces)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">COLOMBIA (May 22, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy Colombian Military Forces)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién."
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            <div class="image-title">Gen. Richardson visits Colombia, Brazil</div>
            <div class="image-caption">COLOMBIA (May 22, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, visits the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién. Richardson visited Colombia May 21-23 to meet with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation. (Photo courtesy Colombian Military Forces)</div>
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    <div><b>By U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs</b> <span class="date">/ Published May 26, 2023</span></div>
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    <p>MIAMI (May 26, 2023) -- U.S. Army Gen. Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, visited Colombia and Brazil this week and met with senior government and military leaders to discuss security cooperation.</p>

<p>The May 21-26 trip aimed to strengthen ties and cooperation with both countries. SOUTHCOM’s Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones, accompanied Richardson during the visit.</p>

<p><strong>Colombia</strong></p>

<p>After arriving in Bogotá, Colombia, May 21, Richardson met with Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Bogotá to discuss the U.S.-Colombia defense partnership and regional security.</p>

<p>On May 22<sup>nd</sup>, Richardson joined a joint Colombian Military Forces-SOUTHCOM seminar focused on integration of Women, Peace, and Security into Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) professional development, and discussed the importance of gender equality in military ranks.</p>

<p>"There's more work to be done," the general said. "It's all about recruiting, retaining, training and advancing. And if you take our eye off the ball, you risk losing an entire generation."</p>

<p>The seminar, titled “Military Women United with a Common Purpose: Leading Changes into the 21st Century,” included representative from 15 nations, and was led by Colombian Command Sgt. Maj. Consuelo Diaz and SOUTHCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones.</p>

<p>Later on the 22<sup>nd</sup>, Richardson visited the northwest border of Colombia to see firsthand how Colombian security forces are addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Darién – the land bridge connecting Panama and Colombia.</p>

<p>Prior to departing Colombia May 23, Richardson traveled to Tumaco to meet with senior leaders and troops of Joint Task Force Hercules, the elite Colombian military unit that combats illicit traffickers and illegally armed groups in the southern Pacific region of the country.</p>

<p>Colombia is a close, longstanding regional security partner and leader in countering regional threats, fostering regional security cooperation and supporting humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.</p>

<p><strong>Brazil</strong></p>

<p>The general arrived in Brasilia, Brazil, late on May 23.</p>

<p>The following day, Richardson met with Brazil's Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Adm. Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, to discuss strengthening the longstanding U.S.-Brazil defense partnership. </p>

<p>Also on the 24<sup>th</sup>, the general joined U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, and Brazil military leaders and personnel to discuss the role of women in security.</p>

<p>On May 25<sup>th</sup>, Richardson visited with staff and leadership of Brazil’s Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE), which plans, coordinates, executes, and controls the country’s aerospace operations, and the nation’s Cyber Defense Command</p>

<p>Later, Gen. Richardson and Amb. Bagley met with Brazilian Minister of Defense Jóse Múcio Monteiro to discuss the longstanding U.S.-Brazil defense partnership.</p>

<p>Brazil and the United States, the two most populous democracies in the Western Hemisphere, enjoy a close bilateral relationship, including in the area of defense, on specific areas such as research and development, information exchanges, training and education, joint military exercises, and commercial initiatives related to defense matters.</p>
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