Monte Tarn, Chile. (August 18, 2024): The U.S. Marines joined their Chilean brethren this week to try a little mountaineering in the Andes, the longest mountain range in the world. In this photo by Sergeant Gabriel Groseclose-Durand, Marines with the 1st Marine Division and members of the Cuerpo de Infanteria Marina Chile assess their skills in a freezing weather, high altitude environment. The Marines trained to improve combined task force operations, practice land navigation, and to hone their field craft skills. They certainly chose a tough opponent in the Andes, a mountain range that stretches some 4,400 miles with peaks over 22,000 feet. Throughout the exercise, Marines learned proper techniques for obtaining food and water, employed different weapons and gear, built shelters, practiced foot movements over snow, and performed personnel rescues.

Chile is one of the United States’ strongest partners in Latin America and a leader in promoting respect for the rule of law, economic stability, environmental protection, and human rights. The U.S. supports Chile’s ability to combat terrorism, international crime, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.

Regarded as one of the least corrupt and most vibrant democracies in South America, Chile is a party to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, also known as the Rio Treaty. Article three of the Rio Treaty states that “an armed attack on any member is considered an attack on all nineteen signatory countries in the Western Hemisphere. Chile’s law enforcement officials participate in capacity-building programs with the U.S. through the Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs’ International Law Enforcement Academy. U.S. military assistance strengthens and maintains Chile’s peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response capabilities through equipment purchases, education, and training.

According to several global opinion polls, Chileans have a considerably positive opinion of the U.S. with 72% viewing the U.S. favorably and 62% viewing American influence positively, the highest rating for any surveyed country in Latin America.