Deputy Director Ruben Lopez welcomes the arriving delegation

On Wednesday, 13 May 2026, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies hosted a combined visit from Guatemala’s Armed Forces Higher Education Command (COSEDE) and the Superior Colombian War College (ESDEGUE). The visit included 42 students from COSEDE and 34 majors from ESDEGUE, fostering a robust exchange on regional security and strategic perspectives.

The visiting delegations engage in a lively Q&A session with Dr. Bitencourt

Perry Center Deputy Director Ruben Lopez and Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. William Godnick welcomed the delegations. Perry Center Interim Director COL John D. Suggs delivered the official welcome remarks.

Before the arrival of the ESDEGUE delegation, COSEDE participants in the institution’s master’s degree course attended a presentation on the US defense budget and Congress, delivered by Dr. Godnick.

As part of the combined program, Dr. Godnick provided an organizational brief outlining the Perry Center’s mission and activities. The delegations also participated in a presentation on strategic thinking and defense, titled “Strategic Thinking: Global and Regional Security Challenges,” delivered by Perry Center Professor Dr. Luis Bitencourt.