“More than 90 percent of the crimes committed in El Salvador are the work of gang members. Today, in order to be a member of one of these criminal groups, it’s necessary to commit at least one homicide, and in some cases, up to six.” …

On May 21, the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS) co-hosted a one-day conference with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, headed by Director R. Gil Kerlikowske, on “Countering Illicit Trafficking Activities in the Western Hemisphere: Possible Strategies and Lessons Learned.” The invitation-only event …

Professor Boris Saavedra, CHDS Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs, discussed the inroads that Iran and Russia are making into military programs in Latin America at an April 21 meeting of the American Legion National Defense Post 46 in Washington, DC. A retired Brigadier General of …

On March 17-18, the CHDS Exercise and Gaming team conducted a simulation-based exercise in Colorado Springs for more than forty visiting security and defense professionals from across Latin America. The purpose of the exercise was to provide a hands-on experience in international and interagency coordination …

Jaime Ravinet, who in 2009 was a CHDS Visiting Scholar, has been appointed by Chilean President-elect Sebastian Piñera as that country’s new Minister of Defense. Ravinet previously held the top defense portfolio under the presidency of Ricardo Lagos. In a letter of congratulations to Ravinet …