The frigate “Liberal”, of the Brazilian Navy (MB), left the Naval Base of Rio de Janeiro, on the morning of Sunday (06), to start the 3rd edition of Operation Guinex. Scheduled to take place until October 14, the exercise aims to increase MB’s participation in the Gulf of Guinea, on the west coast of the African continent, promoting interoperability between the naval forces and coast guards of the region, as well as raising the level of training of the means involved.
In addition to the “Liberal”, MB will send to the operation, a Detachment of Combat Divers and a “Squirrel” aircraft. In the period, joint exercises are planned, in port and at sea, with the navies and coast guards of countries such as Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Senegal. The participation of the navies of Spain, the United States of America, Portugal and the United Kingdom is also planned. Techniques of approaching, visiting and inspecting other ships, maneuvers of fast vessels, transit under asymmetric threats and special operations techniques are among the planned trainings.
The operation contributes to the stabilization of the maritime environment and the protection of Brazil’s interests in the Gulf of Guinea. “The ‘Guinex’ operations, which have been taking place since 2021, have the purpose of strengthening Brazil’s bonds of trust with the countries of the West African coast, consolidating MB’s presence as a strategic partner of the region, also contributing to strengthen the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone Treaty (ZOPACAS),” said the Commander of the Task Group (WG) and the 2nd Division of the Fleet, Rear Admiral André Luiz de Andrade Felix.
It is also planned civic-social actions in foreign and national ports, delivery of donations to the local population, as well as presentation of products from the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base, in order to foster possible commercial relations with Brazil. To do so, the frigate “Liberal” must visit the ports of Natal (RN), São Tomé (São Tomé and Príncipe), Kribi (Cameroon), Lagos (Nigeria), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Dakar (Senegal) and Mindelo (Cape Verde).