From August 19–21, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies participated in the 2025 South America Defense Conference (SOUTHDEC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Convened by US Southern Command Commander Admiral Alvin Holsey and Chief of the Argentine Military Joint Staff General Xavier Isaac, the annual conference brings together security and defense leaders from across South America, North America, and Europe to strengthen regional security cooperation. This year’s conference gathered defense leaders from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay. Senior officials from Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Inter-American Defense Board, and the Inter-American Defense College were also in attendance. Discussions focused on evolving regional threats, with emphasis on enhanced maritime domain awareness, the role of armed forces in supporting law enforcement efforts against transnational criminal organizations, and comprehensive regional threat assessments. Attending senior leaders and representatives recommended actionable steps to address shared challenges impacting the citizens of South America through continued collaboration under the SOUTHDEC framework.

While attending the conference, Perry Center Director Dr. Paul J. Angelo and Associate Director of Security Cooperation Patrick Mathes connected with alumni and regional defense leaders and held high-level bilateral meetings with officials from Ecuador, Colombia, Suriname, and Uruguay. These discussions focused on strategic operational readiness and advancing regional security cooperation.

Director Angelo presents the Perry Award to Secretary Battalame

A highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2025 William J. Perry Award for Excellence in Security and Defense Education to Argentina’s Secretary of International Affairs for Defense, Juan Erardo Battaleme Martínez, a WJPC alumnus. The award ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph Humire, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché COL Augie Dominguez, and staff.

Dr. Angelo, in his remarks, praised Battaleme’s leadership and intellectual contributions to regional defense education, noting, “In an era of shifting threats and fractured alliances, Battaleme stands as a rare kind of leader—one whose integrity and ethical commitment are matched by his strategic mind. He reminds us that true security is built not just with weapons and plans, but with character.”