| Join us for a compelling dialogue about technology's transformative impact on geopolitical influence across Central and South America with General (retired) Laura Richardson, former Commanding General of US Southern Command, and Costa Rican Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Paula Bogantes Zamora. This critical exchange examines how digital infrastructure decisions are becoming the new arena for regional power and security. This event will be moderated by CMIST Director, Audrey Kurth Cronin.
Technology connects nations, but it also carries political weight. Consider the ways that essential infrastructure choices—5G networks, cybersecurity alliances, digital governance frameworks—can be used as tools of national influence. As strategic competitors expand their technological presence across Latin America, core issues of sovereignty, security, and influence increasingly challenge established diplomatic strategies. This insightful discussion examines how nations deploy diplomacy, information, military, and economic tools in the digital era, tackling both opportunities and threats from competing technological systems. These expert speakers will analyze how US cybersecurity partnerships and foreign aid function as soft power mechanisms while helping regional allies preserve digital independence. Discover how technological decisions are transforming partnerships and creating fresh opportunities for security collaboration throughout Central and South America.
About our Speakers: General (retired) Laura J. Richardson recently completed her tour as the 32nd Commander of United States Southern Command. She is a native of Northglenn, Colorado and a graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver. She commissioned into the US Army and trained as an Army Aviator. She holds a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University. Over her 38-year career, General (R) Richardson has commanded from the Company to Combatant Command level. Prior to taking command of USSOUTHCOM, she served as the Commanding General of US Army North (Fifth Army) which is the Army Service Component Command for US Northern Command. She commanded an Assault Helicopter Battalion in combat in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) 2003-04, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed to Afghanistan as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Headquarters International Security Assistance Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She has also served in numerous staff assignments at a myriad of locations, including Military Aide to the Vice President at the White House in Washington, DC, the Army's Legislative Liaison to Congress at the US Capitol, and at the Pentagon as the Army Transformation Director.
Paula Bogantes Zamora is the Minister of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT) for Costa Rica. Ms. Bogantes holds a master's degree in international trade and markets from LEAD University, as well as a bachelor's degree in business administration from Universidad Internacional de las Américas. Ms. Bogantes has a specialization in organizational leadership from Georgetown University and is currently pursuing a diploma in digital transformation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Prior to her appointment as Minister of the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT), Ms. Bogantes served as Vice Minister of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica and was the President of the National Trade Facilitation Council (CONAFAC). She also worked at the Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (CI NDE) as the manager for the Digital Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, and Clean Technologies sectors. Additionally, she has worked as a consultant for international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on public policy issues related to competitiveness, innovation, and technology, in collaboration with MICITT, academia, and the private sector. She also contributed to the development of a national proposal for the creation of an innovation agency and a public innovation laboratory. Bogantes Zamora has extensive experience in developing strategies to attract foreign investment in industries such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. She is native speaker of Spanish and is fluent in English.
|
Hello salseros and bachateros!
