Building Maritime Security Capabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean Through the Excess Defense Articles Program

摘要

Today's global security environment includes a growing number of transnational maritime threats, necessitating a cooperative multinational effort. This is particularly true in Latin America and the Caribbean, where military resource expenditures are among the lowest in the world. Many states in the region lack the basic military capabilities to effectively monitor maritime activity within their jurisdictions. Commander, United States Southern Command is responsible for meeting this unique security challenge, yet it is itself very constrained by resources. Fortunately, within the next decade there is an opportunity to develop the maritime security capabilities of our Latin American partners through the transfer of surplus legacy platforms of the United States Coast Guard through the Excess Defense Articles program. Using an operational-level analysis, this paper examines the potential effectiveness of these assets in furthering United States Southern Command's Theater Objectives.