KINGSTON, Jamaica – Chilean Army General, Esteban Guarda Barros, was special guest at a Public Forum hosted by the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Embassy of Chile at Mona on Wednesday.

The UWI’s Departments of Government, History and Archaeology and the Chilean Embassy partnered with the Chilean Embassy in putting on the forum titled “Chilean Armed Forces in the 21st century: National Instrument of Multidimensional Capabilities”. The Forum raised awareness about the contribution of the Chilean military in Latin America and the Caribbean.

It is one of several that the Department of Government will be hosting to highlight and draw attention to the work of the International Development Partners throughout the region, according to Dr Lloyd Waller, Head of the UWI’s Department of Government.

The keynote speaker, General Guarda Barros pointed to the importance of increased cooperation between Chile and Jamaica and growing bonds between both nations. He noted that Chile’s military are keen on demonstrating and providing solutions to societal problems. He also highlighted several agreements signed between Chile and Caribbean countries on military exchanges and education, natural disaster relief and peacekeeping operations.

“The relationship will aid in maximizing military capabilities and will assist the Jamaican armed forces to resolve problems in the most proficient manner,” General Guarda Barros stated.

Dr Waller said that the role of the military in national growth is an important aspect of understanding “development”.

He said that the purpose of the forum was, essentially, to raise awareness about the contributive value of the Chilean military in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The forum is one of several that the Department of Government will be hosting to draw attention to the work of the International Development Partners in the Caribbean and Latin American region, generally, and Jamaica, specifically.