Santiago Peña meets U.S. Southern Command chief to fight organized crime

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña met with U.S. Southern Command Commander General Francis L. Donovan in New York to discuss joint efforts against organized crime and narcoterrorism. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

During the discussions, both leaders evaluated security cooperation mechanisms and the strategic defense alliance between Paraguay and the United States. Peña highlighted Paraguay's membership in the Americas Coalition Against Cartels (A3C), a regional initiative led by the U.S. to combat criminal organizations.

The two nations continue to operate under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which provides a legal framework for U.S. military activities and personnel presence in Paraguay, including specific immunities and exemptions for participating forces.