​Bogotá D.C., October 20, 2022. The minister of health and social protection, Carolina Corcho, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Bogotá, Francisco L. Palmieri, announced the arrival of the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship in the city of Cartagena on November 11, 2022.

In her speech, Corcho indicated that "the presence of the Comfort ship strengthens the cooperation relationship with the US, and helps to tend to, treat and provide medical assistance to the most vulnerable populations of the Colombian Caribbean."

The visit of the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship is part of a humanitarian mission between Colombia and the United States, one of the goals of which is to attend to the population in mobility conditions as well as members of the most vulnerable communities of Cartagena and areas surrounding the city between November 11 and 19, 2022.

The commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, Major General Helder Fernán Giraldo, pointed out that "in addition to offering medical assistance, there is an exchange of knowledge between the Armed Forces and the United States Southern Command, which reflects the close collaboration between the two countries.

In turn, the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy, Francisco L. Palmieri indicated that "the mission reflects the close cooperation between our two governments, as well as the permanent commitment of the United States with Colombia."

A mission of cooperation

The is the seventh time the USNS Comfort has provided medical assistance in Colombia. It is part of a regional effort by US Southern Command that also includes visits to Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The two places where medical care will be provided in Cartagena will be the Ignacio Amador de la Peña Combat Sports and Gymnastics Coliseum and the Antonia Santos Ethno-educational and Inclusive Institution.

Continuing Promise is the name given by the United States Southern Command for the provision of medical care, humanitarian assistance, and civic support to communities in Latin America and the Caribbean on behalf of the American people. With United States military personnel, forces from allied nations and volunteer civilian first responders, medical care in the areas of gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics, ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, preventive medicine, public health education and surgeries will be provided on board the ship. The expectation is that an average of 1,000 people a day will be served during the mission in Colombia.

Continuing Promise 2022 highlights the permanent work of the Government of the United States to increase regional cooperation with partner countries on issues of humanitarian assistance, preparedness, and disaster mitigation.

In Colombia, the coordinated work of the United States Embassy, the Southern Command and state entities such as The Ministry of Defense, the General Command of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Health, the Province Health Office, the Foreign Ministry, the Invima, the DIAN, the Governor's Office of Bolívar, the Mayor's Office of Cartagena, and other entities will enable the improvement of the living conditions of the vulnerable population of Cartagena and surrounding areas and the response capacity of all participants in times of crisis.

Support material for the mission of the USNS COMFORT ship in Colombia.