SOUTHCOM Military Deputy Commander Meets with Leaders in Colombia

  • Published
  • By U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs

Lt. Gen. Michael Plehn, U.S. Southern Command's military deputy commander, visited Colombia March 17-19 to meet with Colombian military leaders to discuss strengthening the U.S.-Colombia bilateral security relationship and to deepen understanding of the rapidly changing security situation in the country.


On March 18, Plehn met with Colombian Army Maj. Gen. Luis Navarro Jiménez, commanding general of the Colombian Military Forces, to discuss U.S.-Colombia defense cooperation. The meeting was held nearly a month after Navarro visited SOUTHCOM headquarters in Miami.


During the trip, Plehn also visited Colombian military commands to meet with leaders and troops and get a firsthand look at operations and the security environment. As a part of his trip, Plehn visited Colombia’s Special Forces Division and met with the division's commander, Gen. Juan Pablo Forero, who previously headed SOUTHCOM's J7/9 Exercises and Coalition Directorate.


Colombia and the United States share a strong security partnership. The enduring military partnership dates back decades. Colombian and U.S. troops served under the United Nations Command during the Korean conflict. For many decades, U.S. and Colombian troops have worked alongside each other during exercises, humanitarian assistance missions, professional exchanges and security operations to counter transnational threats.


Today, the two countries also partner to help other countries build capacity and address security challenges.