HARTFORD, CT — The Connecticut National Guard’s quarter-century alliance with Uruguay’s armed forces stands as a rare, sustained example of U.S. military diplomacy.
In 2025, the State Partnership Program (SPP) between Connecticut and Uruguay entered its 25th year, cementing a bilateral relationship that has grown beyond tactical training into a comprehensive engagement strategy.
“After 25 years of successful exchanges with the Connecticut National Guard and Uruguay, both enterprises have obtained broad knowledge and understanding of their partner nation’s capacities, and standard operating procedures,” said Maj. Juan Torres Santiago, Bilateral Affairs Officer in Uruguay.
The SPP, launched in 2000 under the Department of Defense’s global initiative, matches state National Guards with partner nations to develop joint capability through recurring, direct contact.
In May 2025, senior Connecticut Guard officials traveled to Uruguay for a series of strategic meetings, base visits, and interagency consultations.
“Today, this collaboration symbolizes the Connecticut National Guard’s global commitment to stability, resilience, and partnership,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Fredericks.
That collaboration has expanded into civilian domains.
“What began as a traditional state partnership has grown into a comprehensive strategic relationship,” Fredericks noted. New areas of cooperation include disaster response, cyber defense, women’s leadership, and even urban policy such as homelessness mitigation.
The operational scope is wide—covering peacekeeping, mental health resilience, professional military education, and shared planning frameworks.
But officials point to intangible assets as the backbone of success. “The SPP success in Uruguay without a doubt, lies in the human touch– which is the professional friendships cultivated over the last 25 years,” Torres Santiago emphasized.
The anniversary culminated in a traditional asado hosted by the Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya. The informal setting provided time for reflection, relationship-building, and affirmation of the Guard’s enduring role abroad.
