Brasilia (DF) – The Brazilian Army participates, between August 12 and 18, in Operation Paraná III, a humanitarian aid exercise that brings together troops from 14 other countries in the American continent in a simulated context of natural disasters. In the action, hypothetical cases will be explored with the use of international effort to provide help and protection to the population.
This is one of the activities foreseen by the Conference of American Armies (AEC), an international organization that has twenty-three member armies, two observer armies, two observer military organizations and two special observers. The CEA is chaired by the Brazilian Army (biennium 2022-2023) and has as its theme “The contribution of the Conference of American Armies in the process of transformation and preparation of the Army of the Future for the expansion of cooperation and integration in facing the challenges and threats that can affect the security and stability of the American continent”.
First phase
Last year, the first phase of Operation Paraná III was carried out in the Cascavel city, where the armies of twelve other countries were present alongside Brazil: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Ecuador, USA, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. They coordinate and execute this activity the Ground Operations Command (COTER), the Southern Military Command (CMS), the 5th Army Division (5th DE) and the 15th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (15th Bda Inf Mec). The Military Fire Department and the Civil Defense of Paraná also participate.
Track record
In 2017, the first edition of Operation Paraná included the employment of 130 Brazilian and Paraguayan service members, acting in a framework of homeland defense operations. In 2019, the operation covered the defense of the Itaipu Binational Hydroelectric Plant, in collaboration with the Paraguayan Army. In this edition, it will be the first time that the event will focus on humanitarian aid work, as well as the participation of other American countries.
