Next month, the Brazilian Army will engage in military training alongside Nicaragua’s Armed Forces representatives.
The joint operation, known as “Operation Paraná III,” is organized by the Conference of American Armies (CAA) to enhance cooperation among the continent’s forces in addressing political, economic, and social instability.
The simulation exercise involves a fictitious country facing various challenges, including political instability and natural disasters.
The training aims to prepare the participating armies to effectively respond to such situations and collaborate with Nicaraguan forces led by President Daniel Ortega.
The Southern Military Command, under the leadership of General Pires do Nascimento, confirmed the second stage of Operation Paraná III during a meeting with Paraná Governor Ratinho Jr (PSD).
The CAA, chaired by Brazilian Army Commander General Tomás Ribeiro Paiva, includes 23 member countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, the United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
Reactions to the joint training have been mixed.
Otávio Fakhoury, president of the Brazilian Labor Party (PTB) in São Paulo, expressed criticism, suggesting that the Brazilian military may learn oppressive tactics from Ortega’s forces.
However, the training exercise primarily focuses on cooperative preparedness in challenging scenarios, rather than specific tactics related to human rights violations or religious persecution.
While concerns about political, ideological, and religious persecution in Nicaragua have been raised, it is important to note that the purpose of the training is not explicitly related to these issues.
The current government of Nicaragua has been accused of targeting religious institutions and individuals, leading to tensions between the Catholic Church and the regime.
It is essential to distinguish the training exercise from the broader political context and specific human rights concerns in Nicaragua.
The operation seeks to strengthen military cooperation among participating nations, focusing on addressing instability and natural disasters.