During the period from 24 to 28 September, the “Frigate Liberal”, of the Brazilian Navy (MB), completed its presence in African ports under Operation “GUINEX-III”, with the berthing at the port of Mindelo, in Cape Verde. The country is located in the Gulf of Guinea, a region considered part of the national strategic environment.
Among the objectives of the Operation, we highlight the strengthening of cooperation ties between friendly countries and the conduct of military exercises in port and at sea. In addition, the exchange of information and operating procedures increases interoperability between the Forces of the two countries, strengthening the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone (ZOPACAS).
The Brazilian ship was welcomed by the Ambassador of Brazil in Cape Verde, Mr. Colbert Soares Pinto Junior, and was visited by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of that country, Rear Admiral António Duarte Monteiro, as well as the Commander of the local Coast Guard, Captain Armindo António da Graça.
The military of MB and the Cape Verde Coast Guard held workshops. The activities consisted of damage control training, approach techniques with the Combat Divers Approach and Detachment Team, first aid and pre-hospital assistance, as well as maintenance of electronic systems and fundamentals for storage in compartments.
During the ship’s stay in port, the Commander of the Operation, Rear Admiral Nelson de Oliveira Leite, visited the facilities of the Cape Verde Coast Guard Command and the Brazilian Naval Advisory Mission in the country, whose mission is to promote the cooperation of the Forces in the field of Defense, in the technical-professional training and in the sharing of military experiences.
ZOPACAS
Established in 1986 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 41/11, ZOPACAS is made up of 24 countries, 21 South African and 3 South American. On April 17 and 18 of this year, its VIII Ministerial Meeting took place in the city of Mindelo. At the time, Cape Verde assumed the leadership of the forum for two years. The next meeting will take place in Brazil.
The South Atlantic has high socioeconomic potential. Thus, ZOPACAS contributes to the development of cooperation agreements between the countries of the region, in order to disseminate successful national experiences in the most diverse strategic areas. To this end, MB, together with the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adopts actions aimed at the joint development of countries and the Maritime Security of the area.