Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus completed a visit to Paraguay Jan. 29 during which he met with Republic of Paraguay President Horacio Cartes to discuss the relationship between the Department of the Navy and Paraguay's military.
"We look forward to future opportunities for our forces to work together to strengthen our relations, build interoperability and increase regional security," said Mabus.
Mabus also met with Paraguay's Minister of Defense Bernadino Soto to explore possible opportunities to increase the partnership between the U.S. military and Paraguay and to discuss security cooperation issues.
"We appreciate and value our militaries' work together and hope to solidify the strength of our partnership in the future," Mabus said.
During the stop, Mabus also met with Marines assigned to protect the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay and lay a wreath at the Pantheon of the Heroes, honoring those lost in war.
Mabus' stop in Paraguay is part of a multi-nation visit to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility focused on reinforcing existing partnerships and visiting Sailors and Marines forward deployed.