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	Gen. Richardson meets with Guatemalan leaders, Central American security chiefs in Guatemala
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        <h1 class="title">Gen. Richardson meets with Guatemalan leaders, Central American security chiefs in Guatemala</h1>
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                 alt="U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, right, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo."
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            <div class="image-caption">Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 15, 2024) – U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, right, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, left, to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Guatemala security partnership. The general visited Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and join with regional security leaders for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bermudez</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, arrives in Guatemala for an official visit."
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            <div class="image-caption">Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 15, 2024) – U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, arrives in Guatemala for an official visit. The general visited Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and join with regional security leaders for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bermudez</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz & Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense Staff Brigadier General Carlos Antionio Medina Juárez."
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            <div class="image-caption">Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 15, 2024) – U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz & Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense Staff Brigadier General Carlos Antionio Medina Juárez to discuss collaborative efforts to address regional security challenges. The general visited Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and join with regional security leaders for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bermudez</div>
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            <div class="image-caption">Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 15, 2024) – U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, right, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, meets with Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz & Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense Staff Brigadier General Carlos Antionio Medina Juárez, left, to discuss collaborative efforts to address regional security challenges. The general visited Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and join with regional security leaders for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bermudez</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, the command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Southern Command, presents a coin to Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz."
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            <div class="image-caption">Guatemala City, Guatemala (Aug. 15, 2024) – U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, the command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Southern Command, presents a coin to Minister of Defense Brigadier General Henry David Saenz. The sergeant major accompanied Gen. Laura Richardson for an official visit to Guatemala to meet with senior leadership and take part in the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC) 2024. Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Bermudez</div>
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    <div> <span class="date">/ Published April 22, 2024</span></div>
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    <p>MIAMI (April 18, 2024) — Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), visited Guatemala April 15-18, meeting with President Bernardo Arévalo and senior defense leaders as well as taking part in the Central American Security Conference 2024 (CENTSEC).</p>

<p>The trip to Guatemala was Richardson’s first official visit to the country. The general’s contingent included SOUTHCOM Civilian Deputy to the Commander, Amb. Sarah-Ann Lynch, and Senior Enlisted Leader, Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez.</p>

<p>During her first day in the country, Richardson and U.S. Ambassador Tobin Bradley met with President Arévalo to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Guatemala security partnership. </p>

<p>Later on the 15th, Richardson and the ambassador met with Minister of Defense Brig. Gen. Henry David Saenz and Chief of the Guatemalan National Defense General Staff Brig. Gen. Carlos Antonio Medina Juárez to discuss collaborative efforts to address regional security challenges.</p>

<p>On April 16, the general and Bradley traveled to Santo Tomás de Castilla near the Guatemala-Honduras border to meet with leaders and service members who are operating in the area to counter transnational criminal organizations and illicit trafficking. Later, Richardson, Bradley and Guatemala’s Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, visited a UNICEF Guatemala migration center on the Guatemalan-Honduras border to learn about the humanitarian care work that UNICEF provides to children in migratory status.</p>

<p>Also on the 16th, Richardson, Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez joined Minister Saenz, senior Guatemalan military leaders and service members for a Women, Peace, and Security discussion focused on the importance of harnessing the talent and contributions of women in the security and defense sectors.</p>

<p>From April 17-18, Richardson joined senior U.S. defense and regional security leaders for CENTSEC 2024.</p>

<p>Security cooperation between the U.S. and Guatemala focuses on shared interests including combating transnational criminal organizations and other malign actors; disaster preparedness; cyber security; promoting respect for human rights; and the expanded integration of women in security, peace, and defense missions.</p>
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