Asunción, Agencia IP.- The President of the Republic, Santiago Peña, received U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Commander, General Alvin Holsey, last Saturday at the Government Palace. Both leaders emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries in the areas of security and defense, which is built on shared values.
During the official ceremony held at the López Palace, President Peña awarded General Holsey Paraguay’s highest military honor, the “Order of Military Merit – Gen. Div. Bernardino Caballero,” at the rank of Grand Cross.
«This decoration not only honors your exemplary career in service to your country but also constitutes a genuine acknowledgment of your constant support for the Republic of Paraguay,» President Peña said, emphasizing that «this ceremony reflects the strength of the historical ties that unite us and the shared vision of a more integrated and secure continent.»
He stated that honoring the SOUTHCOM Commander highlights a key aspect of Paraguay’s friendship with the United States: the strategic partnership in defense and security. «Our bilateral relations in the fields of defense and security have been built and strengthened on a solid foundation: mutual trust and shared responsibility, which firmly guide the path of security and development for our nations,» the President said.
In that regard, he affirmed that SOUTHCOM has become a strategic ally for the Paraguayan state, providing decisive support in defense, humanitarian assistance, and training— «all of which have significantly strengthened our institutions, increasing our operational and response capabilities.»
The President also highlighted the historic friendship between the United States and Paraguay, «which will soon celebrate 165 years of fruitful relations.» He stated that these ties «are not based on mere interests or circumstances but on deeper values, all of which are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence: equality, freedom, and fundamental human rights.»
«These shared values and our unshakable Christian roots explain, above all, the profound friendship between the United States and Paraguay,» the President concluded.
«Cooperation, mutual Respect, and close friendship»
For his part, General Holsey expressed his honor at receiving the award, stating that «it is an honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners in Paraguay.»
He emphasized that relations between the two nations are based on cooperation, mutual respect, and close friendship— «the essential conditions to ensure the security, stability, and prosperity of our shared neighbourhood.»
«The relationship between our nations and armed forces is based not only on culture, history, and economics but also on mutual trust. That trust forms the foundation of our commitment to maintaining and expanding democracy and its core values, respect for human rights, and the rule of law,» he said.
He also highlighted that, at the regional level, the riverine security resilience program is enhancing capabilities to conduct interdictions on waterways and referred to the cybersecurity operations center and the development of specialized capacities to counter transnational criminal organizations.