Leaders from the Peruvian Marines and the South American Marine Corps joined forces Nov. 12-15 as part of a Staff Planning Working Group (SPWG) hosted by MARFORSOUTH Headquarters.
The primary goal of the conference was to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations and address future cooperation opportunities. By engaging in open dialogue, the U.S. and Peruvian Marines were able to communicate, identify common goals and objectives, and explore joint training opportunities to improve interoperability.
As part of an ongoing effort to build strong relationships with various Marine Corps and Marine Expeditionary Forces throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean, MARFORSOUTH hosts and participates in special working groups. These week-long meetings are designed to facilitate strategic planning for upcoming joint exercises and to define long-term goals for each organization.
“The goal of the SPWG is to bring everyone together to talk about what we are going to do in the next five years, specifically in detail for next year. After we talk about this year, the following years can be less detailed because plans and goals change over time, and it is more about defining “The goals we want to achieve and maintain,” said Colonel Jeffrey Hammond, Marforsoth’s chief of staff.
The recent engagement with the Peruvian Marines underscores both organizations' commitment to a long-term partnership, ensuring both countries are prepared for the future. Ongoing dialogue helps foster trust and understanding, both of which are critical to the success of military cooperation.
On the final day of the WWII working group, participants visited the National WWII Museum here where they toured exhibits and signed an agreement for future exercises and objectives discussed during the week.
Photo by Cpl. Eduardo Delatorre
U.S. Marine Corps, Southern, and Marina De Guerra del Peru leaders pose for a photo during a staff chart working group at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 15, 2024. Members of MARFORSOUTH and Peru discuss opportunities for Marina De Guerra Del Peru that aligns with The goals of the US State Department for the next five years. SPWGs provide the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and exchanges and foster a deeper understanding of individual maritime strategies. (US Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eduardo Delatorre)
“After signing the agreement, we carry out some reviews throughout the year and evaluate the progress of our goals and achievements,” said Capitan de Navio Ricardo Valacchi, Chief of Staff of the Peruvian Marine Corps Infanteria de Marina del Peru.
As MARFORSOUTH continues to host special working groups, the focus remains on creating a coherent strategy for the benefit of all participating countries. By working together, the Marine Corps and regional maritime forces are better trained, better positioned, and better equipped to respond to evolving security needs and ensure stability of the region in the years to come.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the U.S. Marine Corps component of U.S. Southern Command, and is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with our allies and partner nations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. MARFORSOUTH builds capacity and capabilities with like-minded democratic nations through a range of military engagements and other security cooperation events to demonstrate the value and benefit of the Navy and Marine Corps team through joint operations, engagements and mutual support. MARFORSOUTH works to build partnerships across the region to strengthen the rule of law, which is essential for security, stability, economic prosperity and personal freedom. In addition, strong partnerships, shared knowledge, and joint, multinational interoperability enable burden-sharing and crisis response while strengthening common defense, promoting stability, and defeating threats.
