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As part of the regional military exercise CENTAM Guardian 2026, search and rescue units from various branches of the armed forces have begun a 36-hour earthquake drill at the Armed Forces Engineering Command (CIFA), with the goal of strengthening response capabilities to natural disasters.
The exercise includes specialized operations such as rescuing trapped victims and removing debris, replicating real-life scenarios that could occur after a major earthquake. These actions allow for the practice of emergency protocols and improve coordination among rescue teams.
Simultaneously, Civil Protection authorities are conducting an additional drill focused on evaluating institutional coordination and the joint response among the different entities responsible for handling emergencies. This effort seeks to ensure a more efficient and timely response to risk situations.
During the exercise, Infantry Major Mario Alfaro emphasized the importance of these types of drills in strengthening the operational capabilities of military personnel, as well as their preparedness for natural events that could impact the population.
Timothy Brown, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, explained that the main objective of CENTAM Guardian is to foster cooperation among allied countries in the region. He detailed that this type of training improves “interoperability”, that is, the ability to work together to address various risks, including natural disasters.
Brown emphasized that preparedness is key to protecting communities, highlighting that participating countries share common challenges and, therefore, must coordinate efforts to safeguard their populations. He also acknowledged the role of the armed forces as fundamental actors in emergency response.
Along the same lines, Major Yury Verush, head of the Civil Affairs Team of Joint Task Force Bravo, noted that these activities also contribute to the exchange of knowledge and best practices among participating teams, thus strengthening the regional response to crises.
The CENTAM Guardian exercise brings together military forces from several countries to improve coordination, preparedness, and response capabilities in various scenarios, including natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.
Through these types of drills, El Salvador and its allies seek to strengthen institutional and operational preparedness to reduce risks and protect the population from potential earthquakes or other emergencies.
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