Massachusetts Guard, Paraguay strengthen 25-year partnership

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. - Senior Paraguayan defense leaders visited the Massachusetts National Guard Sept. 9-14 to expand cooperation in cyber defense, intelligence, military training and emergency response as the partners build on more than 25 years of collaboration.

The delegation included Paraguay's Minister of Defense Oscar Luis Gonzalez Canete; Chief of Defense Gen. Cesar Augusto Moreno Landaira; and Lt. Gen. Neill Roger Camacho Kailar, director of information technology.

The visit focused on strengthening existing ties while identifying new areas of cooperation, particularly in cyber defense and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

"I see the next opportunity for us to utilize the 102nd Intelligence Wing more and partner to help Paraguay expand its cyber and ISR capabilities," said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. "Paraguay just finished completion of their military cyber operations center. It's up and operating, and they're slowly building up the cyber infrastructure they need to make sure the cyber operation and critical infrastructure is protected."

Before arriving in Massachusetts, the delegation and Keefe toured the Pentagon and met with senior U.S. military officials, including Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Air Force Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau. Discussions focused on challenges facing Paraguay and opportunities to expand security cooperation.

In Massachusetts, the delegation flew aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk around Joint Base Cape Cod to observe U.S. Army training areas and explore ideas for expanding Paraguay's Army training capabilities.

The delegation also visited the Massachusetts Commonwealth Fusion Center, a Massachusetts State Police program that collects and analyzes information and produces intelligence to help identify, disrupt or deter criminal activity and terrorism.

The Massachusetts-Paraguay relationship has developed through more than 25 years of military and civilian cooperation. In 2023, Massachusetts fire departments contributed firefighter personal protective equipment and two fully equipped fire trucks to Paraguay's military firefighters after Massachusetts National Guard members identified the need.

In July, Massachusetts National Guard members and Paraguayan Armed Forces personnel also completed a critical infrastructure renovation project in preparation for Fuerzas Comando 2026, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational special operations competition.

Keefe said the partnership is increasingly moving into emerging mission areas as the two organizations prepare for future security challenges.

"We are expanding beyond just focusing on the infantry on the Army side and flying on the Air Force side - we are looking at these other mission sets that really are what the future's going to be about," said Keefe.

U.S. Army Maj. Luis Alvarez, the bilateral affairs officer assigned to Paraguay, said the relationship demonstrates how long-term military partnerships can evolve to address changing security requirements.

"This milestone visit truly captures the depth and strength of our 25-year relationship built on mutual respect and shared goals," said Alvarez. "As we look ahead, continuing to integrate our efforts in advanced aviation, cyber defense, and emergency response ensures that the Massachusetts National Guard and Paraguay will continue to stand strong together for decades to come."