Geopolitical Monitor: "Malaysia-Latin America Relations: Engagement between Distant Partners"

 

 

"Malaysia-Latin America Relations: Engagement between Distant Partners"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion 

Geopolitical Monitor

 17 July, 2026

Published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/malaysia-latin-america-relations-engagement-between-distant-partners/ 

 

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and partnerships & alliances are being formed between countries that are geographically far apart from each other. Generally speaking, Latin America sees the United States, China, and Europe as its main extra-regional trading partners and strategic allies. However, other countries should be monitored, including Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, whose presence and engagement with Latin America have increased in recent years. However, there is one other actor that should be considered when discussing a globalized, interconnected world: Malaysia.

For analysts, scholars, and practitioners of foreign policy, Malaysia is no stranger to Latin America. One key link between the Asian nation and Latin America is the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a free-trade pact that brings together 12 economies across the Asia-Pacific, Western Hemisphere, and the United Kingdom. The other regional bloc to keep in mind is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which includes Malaysia as well as Chile, Mexico, and Peru. Moreover, while not as notorious as Beijing’s, Tokyo’s, or Seoul’s presence, Kuala Lumpur maintains friendly bilateral relations with several Latin American nations.

Vice News: "Protecting the World Cup From Drones"

 

 

"Protecting the World Cup From Drones"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Vice News - Substack

28 June, 2026

Published: https://substack.com/home/post/p-203629382

 

Today, the sound of war isn’t the terrible rumble of a tank or a clattering Kalashnikov. It is the buzz of a drone. Death comes from above in 2026; uncrewed, unafraid and uncomplicated. Aerial warfare, prohibitively expensive since its introduction in the 20th century, is now globally accessible and affordable. This summer, authorities in North America are asking a new question: how do you prevent this threat from leaving the battlefield and entering the soccer pitch?

 

As I write, the World Cup is in full swing and for the first time in years it feels like the planet is unified in watching something joyful. But the fear in defense circles is that drones could be used by lone wolves, criminal organizations, or terrorist entities to target fans, players and officials at the largest sporting event on Earth. 

CIMSEC: "Latin America: Donations and Sales of Second-hand Hulls"

 

 

"Latin America: Donations and Sales of Second-hand Hulls"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Southern Tide

Center for International Maritime Security

3 June, 2026

Published:  https://cimsec.org/latin-america-donations-and-sales-of-second-hand-hulls/ 

 

Written by Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, The Southern Tide addresses maritime security issues throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It discusses the challenges regional navies face including limited defense budgets, inter-state tensions, and transnational crimes. It also examines how these challenges influence current and future defense strategies, platform acquisitions, and relations with global powers.

Analyses of the status and strength of the US Navy, the Chinese Navy, and other global navies focus not only on the size of their respective fleets but also on the modernity of their hulls and their new capabilities, particularly vis-à-vis integrating new technologies. But what happens to decommissioned platforms that global naval powerhouses no longer operate? Some are kept in reserve or sent to scrapyards. However, many decommissioned vessels find a second life when sold or donated to partners and allies.

 

 

Future Warfare Magazine: "NarcoDrones fly across #Latin American skies, with lethal payloads"

 

"NarcoDrones  fly across #Latin American skies, with lethal payloads"

Future Warfare Magazine

Issue: 01/2026

Published: Https://fw-mag.com/

 

CSIS: " Jungle Thunder: A Multinational Approach to Improving U.S. Capabilities in Jungle Warfare "

 

 

"Jungle Thunder: A Multinational Approach to Improving U.S. Capabilities in Jungle Warfare"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Andre Carvalho

Americas Program

Center for Strategic and International Studies

14 November, 2025

Published: https://www.csis.org/analysis/jungle-thunder-multinational-approach-improving-us-capabilities-jungle-warfare 

 

A sizable U.S. Navy fleet continues to sail across Caribbean waters, hunting down vessels suspected of transporting drugs. Meanwhile, U.S. Marines have been deployed to Puerto Rico, where Cold War–era military facilities have been reopened. On November 13, Secretary Pete Hegseth announced via social media Operation Southern Spear, led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and U.S. Southern Command, which will have the goal of “[removing] narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere.” At the time of writing, the general assumption in Washington is that targeted air strikes against Venezuela will occur. More extreme analyses have discussed a U.S. military invasion of Venezuela. The latter possibility is unlikely, given that the number of troops deployed (so far) is not conducive to invading Venezuela like the U.S. operations in Afghanistan in 2001 or Iraq in 2003.

Analyses of a hypothetical U.S. military operation with boots on the ground overlook one critical issue: jungle warfare (JW). U.S. troops in Venezuela would not just fight in Caracas or Maracaibo; they would also have to engage in jungle operations. JW is a unique type of combat, something that the U.S. military has not had to engage in (apart from select operations in Africa) since the Vietnam War. Fortunately for Washington and the U.S. armed services, there are many partners and allies in South America, whose militaries are experts at this type of warfare. In this analysis, the authors propose a method to improve the U.S. military’s capabilities and training in JW: the multinational exercise Jungle Thunder.

 

Shephard: "Analysis: South American domestic drone programmes fly high"

  

"Analysis: South American domestic drone programmes fly high"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Shephard

12 November, 2025

Published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/analysis-south-american-domestic-drone-programmes-fly-high

 

While South American militaries will continue to import drone technology from extra-regional suppliers, the successful test of a locally manufactured kamikaze drone by the Brazilian Navy demonstrates the rising role of “made in South America” systems.

 

Armed forces across the globe are increasingly interested in uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) due to their ability to support a variety of missions: combat, reconnaissance and even disaster relief. South America is keeping up. Recent developments in the militaries and defence industries of Brazil and Colombia are examples of the current strong momentum, as many armed forces focus their efforts on locally produced drone options.

 

 

 

Book Chapters in: “Maritime Strategy and Security Challenges in South America”

 

Maritime Strategy and Security Challenges in South America

 Henrik Shilling and Anne Runhaar (Eds)

ISPK Seapower Series

Vol. 6, First Edition, 2025

Nomos, Baden-Baden  

Chapter: "Maritime Strategy and Security Challenges in South America" p. 23-42

Chapter: "IUU Fishing and South American Navies" p. 159-172

https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/en/document/view/detail/uuid/a0885c17-cad1-3152-9408-7bd601824bd2 

 

 

CSIS: "An Unnecessary Territorial Dispute in the Amazon: Colombia’s Petro Focuses on the Wrong Threats "

 

 "An Unnecessary Territorial Dispute in the Amazon: Colombia’s Petro Focuses on the Wrong Threats"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Americas Program

Center for Strategic and International Studies

26 August 2025

Published: https://www.csis.org/analysis/unnecessary-territorial-dispute-amazon-colombias-petro-focuses-wrong-threats 

Colombia faces several challenges. The assassination of presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay and two deadly attacks on August 21 are stark reminders that violence in the South American country continues. Unfortunately, rather than focus on present dangers, President Gustavo Petro has chosen to start a verbal fight with Peru, his country’s historical ally.

 

 

Zona Militar: "Saab showcases its projects and goals to equip the Armed Forces of Latin America" / "Saab expone sus proyectos y objetivos para equipar a las Fuerzas Armadas de América Latina"

 

"Saab showcases its projects and goals to equip the Armed Forces of Latin America"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

24 May, 2025

Published: https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/05/24/saab-showcases-its-projects-and-goals-to-equip-the-armed-forces-of-latin-america/

 

"Saab expone sus proyectos y objetivos para equipar a las Fuerzas Armadas de América Latina"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

24 de Mayo, 2025

Publicado: https://www.zona-militar.com/2025/05/24/saab-expone-sus-proyectos-y-objetivos-para-equipar-a-las-fuerzas-armadas-de-america-latina/

Zona Militar: "TRD seeks to make a splash in cUAS market" / "TRD busca irrumpir con fuerza en el mercado de sistemas anti-drones (cUAS)"

 

 "TRD seeks to make a splash in cUAS market"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

18 May, 2025

Published: https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/05/18/trd-seeks-to-make-a-splash-in-cuas-market/ 

"TRD busca irrumpir con fuerza en el mercado de sistemas anti-drones (cUAS)"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Zona Militar

18 de Mayo, 2025

Publicado: https://www.zona-militar.com/2025/05/19/trd-busca-irrumpir-con-fuerza-en-el-mercado-de-sistemas-anti-drones-cuas/

CSIS Americas: "Science, Cooperation, and Winter Uniforms: The Role of South American Militaries in Antarctica"

 

"Science, Cooperation, and Winter Uniforms: The Role of South American Militaries in Antarctica"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

CSIS Americas Program

20 March 2025

Published: https://www.csis.org/analysis/science-cooperation-and-winter-uniforms-role-south-american-militaries-antarctica 

March is the month of the famous carnivals in South America. However, the month also signifies the end of the Antarctic summer campaigns. Argentina and Chile are two of the seven countries that claim Antarctic territory, but other South American countries are also present on the frozen continent. The cornerstone of these annual campaigns, unsurprisingly, is the armed forces. As Antarctica’s importance grows, it is necessary to understand the strategies and objectives of South American governments toward the southernmost region. And to do that, we need to understand the role of South American militaries.

Breaking Defense: "South American nations add ‘upgrading air forces’ to 2025 resolutions "

 

 

"South American nations add ‘upgrading air forces’ to 2025 resolution"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare

Breaking Defense

13 January, 2025

Published: https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/south-american-nations-add-upgrading-air-forces-to-2025-resolutions/ 

As several countries pursue new fighter jets, experts told Breaking Defense it’s more about avoiding obsolescence than a southern arms race. 

WASHINGTON — In late December, the first F-16 Block 10 aircraft for Argentina’s Air Force arrived in the country in what Minister of Defense Luis Petri hailed as the “most important” acquisition since the nation’s “return to democracy” in 1982.

 

 

Shephard: "South American shipyards end 2024 positively as regional navies bet on local manufacturers"

 

"South American shipyards end 2024 positively as regional navies bet on local manufacturers"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Shephard

23 December 2024

Published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/south-american-shipyards-end-2024-positively-as-regional-navies-bet-on-local-manufacturers/

The year ends with several South American navies undergoing ambitious programmes to modernise their fleets. A common denominator is that regional services want domestically manufactured surface vessels and even submarines.

CIMSEC: "BRACOLPER at 50: A Model Multinational Riverine Exercise"

 

"BRACOLPER at 50: A Model Multinational Riverine Exercise"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Southern Tide

Center for International Maritime Security

10 December, 2024

Originally published: https://cimsec.org/bracolper-at-50-a-model-multinational-riverine-exercise/

Written by Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, The Southern Tide addresses maritime security issues throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. It discusses the challenges regional navies face including limited defense budgets, inter-state tensions, and transnational crimes. It also examines how these challenges influence current and future defense strategies, platform acquisitions, and relations with global powers.

Multinational naval exercises occur frequently across the globe. They are effective confidence-building mechanisms that promote integration, cooperation, and trust while improving the participating personnel’s capabilities and expertise. The most prominent naval exercises in the Western Hemisphere are the US-sponsored UNITAS, SOLIDAREX, and TRADEWINDS.

However, naval exercises do not solely occur at sea but also occur in inland bodies of water. Enter the multinational riverine exercise BRACOLPER, which, as the name suggests, brings together the navies from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

Shephard News: "Chilean Navy commissions icebreaker as race for Antarctica heats up"

 

"Chilean Navy commissions icebreaker as race for Antarctica heats up"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Shephard Media

30 July, 2024

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/chilean-navy-commissions-icebreaker-as-race-for-antarctica-heats-up/

The commissioning of the domestically manufactured icebreaker Almirante Viel marks the latest addition to a series of new ships acquired by South American navies to enhance their presence in Antarctic waters.

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Breaking Defense: "With back-to-back deals in Peru, South Korea defense industry expands South American foothold"

 

"With back-to-back deals in Peru, South Korea defense industry expands South American foothold"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

20 May, 2024

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2024/05/with-back-to-back-deals-in-peru-south-korea-defense-industry-expands-south-american-foothold/

A new shipbuilding deal could be a test case that, if successful, could lead for years more work and millions more in deals for Seoul, in Peru and South America.

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Shephard Media: "Quantum Systems unveils new Reliant UAS"

 

"Quantum Systems unveils new Reliant UAS"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Air Warfare

Shephard Media

8 May, 2024

Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/quantum-systems-unveils-new-reliant-uas/

As well as the new UAS, Quantum Systems has outlined its plans to improve the capabilities of its existing platforms.

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Quote: "Colombian president’s statements on Gaza jeopardize close military ties with Israel"

 

"Colombian president’s statements on Gaza jeopardize close military ties with Israel"

By: Manuel Rueda

Associated Press

20 October, 2023

Originally published: https://apnews.com/article/colombia-israel-gaza-war-petro-military-exports-fe6add0c39d85e4fa2a948ac4360e4e2

Breaking Defense: Brazil sails mostly alone in push to modernize submarine fleet in South America

 

"Brazil sails mostly alone in push to modernize submarine fleet in South America"

 Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Naval Warfare

Breaking Defense

18 October 2023

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/10/brazil-sails-mostly-alone-in-push-to-modernize-submarine-fleet-in-south-america/

WASHINGTON — Earlier this month the Brazilian Navy held a ceremony at the Itaguaí Naval Complex (ICN) in Rio de Janeiro for the first plate cutting to commence the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine — a historic step for the South American nation on a modernization journey it’s traveling mostly alone.

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Breaking Defense: "Unmanned ground vehicles face a rare market challenge in South America: Horses "

 

"Unmanned ground vehicles face a rare market challenge in South America: Horses"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Breaking Defense

Land Warfare

23 August 2023

Originally published: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/08/unmanned-ground-vehicles-face-a-rare-market-challenge-in-south-america-horses/

WASHINGTON — South American militaries, like many across the globe, are looking at the potential for unmanned ground vehicles. And it’s easy to see why: UGVs have a wide variety of uses, from rescue operation to surveillance to participating in combat.

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