The Perry Center’s Advanced Course in Maritime Security Policy – a new course, conducted in partnership with Colombia’s Naval Academy for Strategic Studies – concluded on May 25 with 27 participants from 11 countries. Resident portions of the course were hosted in both the United States and Colombia. This is the Center’s first course planned and directed with a non-US partner institution. It offers a deep dive into maritime security and naval warfare with the aim of fostering civil-military and multilateral dialogue to address common challenges through shared solutions.

Participants engage in a tabletop exercise scenario

The course addresses the challenges associated with safeguarding sovereign issues in international waters, coastal areas, and inland waterways. Highlights of the program included a keynote by RDML (ret.) Timothy Gallaudet, PhD, of Ocean STL Consulting, a visit to COTECMAR shipyard to learn about Colombia’s new platforms, and a tabletop exercise scenario, designed by LCDR Diego Cabuya, Dr. Carlos Castaneda Marroquin, and Dr. Daniel Diaz Lopez. The course was led by Dr. Patrick Paterson of the Perry Center and LCDR Diego Cabuya of the Colombian Navy. LCDR Cabuya is a Fulbright Scholar and visiting faculty member at the Perry Center.

Our appreciation to the course directors, presenters, staff from both institutions, and course facilitators Dr. Sabrina Evangelista Medeiros (Portugal), Dr. Carlos Castaneda Marroquin (Spain/Colombia), and Dr. Daniel Diaz Lopez (Colombia) for the successful launch and implementation of this inaugural course.