Cartagena de Indias is currently hosting the 64th edition of the Unitas 2023 exercises, which commenced on Tuesday and will run until July 21.
This multinational event involves naval and air fleets from 20 countries, including the United States, Colombia, Germany, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Ecuador, Spain, France, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay.
Led by the U.S. Navy, the exercises feature 26 warships, 3 submarines, and 25 military aircraft.
The main objective of the exercises is to enhance interoperability and readiness among participating countries, fostering a stronger sense of friendship and cooperation.
Rear Admiral Carlos Oramas, Head of Naval Operations of the Colombian Navy, emphasized that these exercises seek to bolster the multinational maritime force and address potential threats to the American continent.
The activities encompass both land and sea operations.
The U.S. Southern Command has outlined plans for operations off the coast of Cartagena de Indias, as well as in Coveñas and Barranquilla.
Participants will engage in various training exercises, including riverine operations, diving, rescue operations, live-fire exercises, amphibious landings, and integrated surface, aerial, and underwater unmanned vehicle operations.
Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, Commander of the U.S. Fourth Fleet Naval Forces Southern Command, stated that Unitas will create a challenging environment for the multinational force by employing air, surface, subsurface, and unmanned assets, as well as ground units.
This comprehensive training aims to improve capabilities for maritime control, naval and air combat, expeditionary forces, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response.
The Unitas exercises originated from the First Naval Conference held in Panama in 1959 and are conducted within the framework of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR).
With the participation of 20 countries, this edition of Unitas represents one of the largest gatherings in the history of these exercises.