Defense Secretary Mattis undertakes first South American trip

For the first time since he took office as the United States Secretary of Defense, James Mattis traveled to South America to solidify the Department’s strong defense ties with Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia.

“These relationships are critical to a collaborative, prosperous and secure Western hemisphere,” a statement from the Defense Department said.

The trip began this past weekend, with a trek to Brazil. There, Mattis is meeting with senior officials and defense leaders, touring the nation’s WWII monument and delivering a speech at Brazil’s war college, the Escola Superior de Guerra. After, he will head to Argentina, to meet with more senior defense officials.

On the third leg of the trip, intended to promote collaboration between Western hemisphere nations, Mattis will head to Chile to discuss strategy. Then he will conclude matters with a journey to Colombia, to meet with members of the new administration there.