SEGMAREX Exercise: A step forward in maritime safety and security

5 Apr 2025 | Training and exercises

From 24 to 28 March 2025, maritime forces from across Latin America came together for SEGMAREX, a regional maritime exercise designed to strengthen interagency cooperation and operational readiness in response to shared maritime threats. Organised by the CRIMARIO, SEGMAREX is part of a broader series of regional maritime exercises aimed at enhancing coordination, building trust, and reinforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs) across national and regional agencies in the Indo-Pacific. 

This year’s edition brought together an impressive group of stakeholders:

  • Chile Navy
  • Peru Coast Guard & El Callao UCC (including Customs, National Police Anti-Narcotics, Prosecutors, and the Port Authority)
  • Ecuador Navy, Ecuador Coast Guard, and Galapagos National Park
  • Colombian Navy and Colombian National Police Anti-Narcotics
  • Panama Aeronaval Service (SENAN)
  • Observers from the Colombian Coast Guard and Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR)

Over the five-day period, participating agencies engaged in the simulation of complex, real-world maritime scenarios, including Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and anti-narcotics operations. These scenarios were specifically designed to test and refine coordination between civilian and military actors, as well as across national borders.

Supporting Real-World Readiness Through Simulation

A key feature of the SEGMAREX exercise was the integration of advanced simulation technology, which enabled participants to rehearse decision-making and operational coordination in a safe but realistic environment. Simulators allowed for the practice of high-risk scenarios, encouraging collaboration while minimising cost and risk.

Simulation-based training also served as a platform for testing and refining interagency SOPs, allowing teams to explore how their national procedures align with regional approaches. This is particularly critical in the context of transnational maritime threats, where seamless cooperation and shared protocols are essential for rapid and effective responses.

Building a Cohesive Regional Maritime Network

SEGMAREX is part of CRIMARIO’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional maritime capacity building across Latin America and other strategically important regions. Through such exercises, CRIMARIO aims to:

  • Foster interagency trust and communication. 
  • Promote interoperability and the harmonisation of procedures.
  • Strengthen the regional ability to respond to maritime security threats such as trafficking, illegal fishing, and maritime emergencies.

The outcomes of SEGMAREX were positive, with participants actively contributing to post-exercise debriefs and expressing interest in deeper future collaboration and more frequent joint training initiatives.

We extend our warmest thanks to all the agencies and individuals who took part, and we look forward to continuing this journey together towards safer, more secure, and better-connected maritime spaces across Latin America.