Photo: X Account of the Brazilian Army.
Military troops from the United States and China will take part in joint military exercises in Brazil over the course of the month, where both countries will participate alongside 3,000 Brazilian military personnel in military training exercises.
This training program, known as Operation Formosa 2024, will take place in the municipality of Formosa located in the state of Goiás, near the capital city of Brasilia, and will conclude on the 17th of this month. A total of 56 U.S. and 33 Chinese soldiers are participating, representing an increase in the Chinese participation, who last year had only sent observers to participate in the exercise.
Brazil presents itself as an ideal scenario for this type of exercise due to its pragmatic foreign policy and its balanced relationship with the two countries, as China and the United States are its main trading partners. Apart from Brazilian forces, other countries such as Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and France are also attending, albeit with smaller contingents.
The operation reflects Brazil's desire to position itself as a mediator in the international arena, seeking a balance between North and South, as well as between Eurasian influences and the Western bloc led by the United States. This stance is an extension of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's foreign policy, supported by his advisor on international affairs, Celso Amorim.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia highlighted bilateral cooperation in security matters, stressing the importance of the maneuvers to improve the interoperability and readiness of the armed forces. On the other hand, Brazil has also shown interest in strengthening its military relationship with China, especially in areas such as science and technology applied to defense.
Interestingly, these maneuvers are taking place in Formosa, a name that coincides with the former Portuguese name for the island of Taiwan, a territory where China and the United States have experienced longstanding tensions. This type of cooperation on Brazilian territory underscores Brazil's geopolitical importance on the international scene, reflecting its ambition to be a key player in global diplomacy.
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Tropas estadounidenses y chinas realizarán ejercicios militares conjuntos en Brasil – Infobae.
