Fort Buchanan Strengthens Hemispheric Partnerships as Peruvian Reserve Officers Visit
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico — A delegation of Peruvian Army officers visited Fort Buchanan Aug. 18 as part of an eight‑day professional exchange in the U.S. territory focused on reserve forces, military readiness and cooperation between partner nations.
The delegation, composed of officers from the Peruvian Army’s Replacements and Mobilization Command, visited Puerto Rico to learn how the United States organizes and employs its reserve components. Retired Brig. Gen. Fernando Fernández coordinated the engagement after Peruvian leaders expressed interest in the U.S. reserve structure and its integration with active-duty forces.
The exchange took place through the Pan American Union of Reserve Officers of the Armed Forces, where Fernández serves on the executive committee. With support from the U.S. Embassy in Perú, the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve and Department of the Army, the delegation received briefings from the Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard and veteran‑support organizations. The officers also toured Fort Buchanan, participated in cultural activities and met with leaders at the Puerto Rico Capitol.
Fernández said the Army Reserve briefing covered its mission, organization and Soldier benefits, as well as accession opportunities and the process for selecting and training commissioned officers.
“We are strengthening the bonds of friendship and military relationships with a nation that supports the ideals of the United States, that defends freedom and democracy,” Fernández said.
The engagement demonstrated Fort Buchanan’s role in connecting U.S. forces with partners throughout the Americas. Professional exchanges allow military leaders to share expertise, strengthen institutional relationships and develop approaches to common challenges.
As these exchanges continue to grow in importance, they align with the United States’ 2026 National Defense Strategy, which elevates defense of the homeland and U.S. interests across the Western Hemisphere as top priorities. The strategy emphasizes strengthening cooperation with regional partners throughout the hemisphere, reinforcing the value of engagements like Fort Buchanan’s in advancing shared security objectives.
“The friendship between our institutions must always become an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen capabilities and build responses together for the benefit of our citizens,” said Brig. Gen. Victor Hugo Villasis Rojas of the Peruvian Army.
Villasis Rojas emphasized the importance of cooperation as security challenges increasingly cross national borders.
“In times when challenges transcend borders, security, disaster response and the defense of democratic values increasingly require cooperation among friendly nations,” Villasis Rojas said. “No country can face the challenges of our time alone.”
He said engagements like the Puerto Rico visit also build the trust that sustains long-term military relationships. “Every conversation, every exchange of experiences and every gesture of friendship contributes to strengthening a culture of cooperation and trust among our peoples and institutions,” Villasis Rojas said.
Strategically located between North, Central and South America, Fort Buchanan supports more than 15,000 service members from the active and reserve components, including the Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve and Navy Reserve. With an annual budget exceeding $500 million, Fort Buchanan provides infrastructure and services that enable forces to train, mobilize and deploy in support of missions worldwide.
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