U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta Visit to Chile

April 26 and 27, 2012

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will visit Chile April 26-27 as part of a regional tour that also include visits to Colombia and Brazil, to expand defense and security cooperation with the region.

In Santiago, Secretary Panetta will meet with Chilean President Sebastian Piñera at La Moneda Palace and with Defense Minister Andrés Allamand at the Bernardo O’Higgins Military Academy.

Secretary Panetta will discuss how Chile's own experiences and achievements in responding to natural disasters and crises offers critical lessons for all countries in the Hemisphere. Secretary Panetta looks forward to discussing how the United States and Chile can continue to partner in this area, recognizing that Chile is a critical force for peace and security in the region.

On Friday April 27, Secretary Panetta will visit the Chilean Air Force base Los Condores in Iquique to observe a Chilean forces' unique operational capabilities.

Leon E. Panetta, Secretary of Defense.