TO THE INTER-AMERICAN DEFENSE COLLEGE – CLASS 65

October 2, 2025 - Washington, DC

Good morning distinguished faculty, staff, and most importantly, members of the Inter-American Defense College’s Class of 65. It is a privilege to address you today, as you embark on what I know will be one of the most transformative experiences of your professional careers.

First, let me extend congratulations. Admission to this College is not only a recognition of your accomplishments and leadership potential, but also an investment by your nations and by the Hemisphere in your capacity to shape the security and defense agenda for years to come. You represent the finest traditions of military, police, and civilian service in our region. Today, you also become part of a family: the Inter-American Defense College. You truly represent the essence and value of multilateralism.

This institution occupies a special place in the hemispheric security architecture. Since its founding in 1962, the College has served as a space where leaders can step away from the daily demands of their posts to engage in study, candid dialogue, and cooperative thinking about the challenges facing our Hemisphere. You bring together diverse perspectives, different countries, different cultures, different ministries, different branches of service to forge common understanding.
The College is not just an educational institution; it is a laboratory of trust. In a world where misunderstandings can escalate into conflicts, where mistrust can undermine cooperation, the relationships you build here will be invaluable. I have met many graduates of this College who testify that the most enduring lesson they took away was not only through academics but through the friendships and networks built in working with colleagues from across the Americas.

The knowledge you gain here is also directly linked to the challenges and responsibilities the OAS carries in our region. The OAS is the oldest regional organization in the world, and its mission is broad: to promote democracy, human rights, security, and development. Security—your area of focus—is inseparable from these other pillars. Without democracy, our societies face instability. Without development, insecurity grows. Without respect for human rights, security institutions lose legitimacy. Your work, therefore, is not in isolation—it is connected to every aspect of the OAS mission.

The challenges facing our Hemisphere today are multidimensional. While traditional security threats remain, they are compounded by transnational organized crime, cyberattacks, disinformation, climate-related disasters, food and energy insecurity, and even new pandemics. Each of these challenges disregards borders. No state can confront them alone. That is why the inter-American system exists: to provide the framework and the tools for collective response.

At the Inter-American Defense College, you will be equipped with the tools to understand and address such complex challenges. My hope is that your studies will not only deepen your awareness of these realities, but also prepare you to contribute to solutions, whether in Haiti or in any part of our Hemisphere.

But to design effective solutions, you must be ready to engage with colleagues who see may the world differently than you do. You may be presented to views different than your own. However, you will, I hope, come to appreciate that our Hemisphere’s strength lies precisely in its diversity, be it linguistic, cultural, political, or institutional. In any difficult or conflict situations, always apply first respect, dialogue, a positive attitude, and willingness to find compromise.

I want to stress one more point: leadership in security and defense is not only about strategy or operations. It is also about values. The OAS Charter is clear: security must be grounded in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Upholding these values will be your greatest test and your greatest contribution.
Let me leave you with three challenges as you begin this journey:

• Think broadly. Do not confine yourselves to national perspectives or defense and security paradigms. Think of the greater good: peace.
• Build trust. Use your time here to forge relationships that will endure long after graduation.
• Lead with integrity. Remember that the power you hold—whether in uniform or as a civilian leader derives from the trust placed in you by your people. Protect that trust with every decision you make.
Class 65, you will be the ones to advise presidents, to lead ministries of defense, security and foreign affairs, to command police and armed forces, and to design policies that affect millions. Take this responsibility seriously, but also embrace it with pride. The College will give you the tools; it is up to you to use them wisely. We are with you!

In the Americas, our main goal is to unite the people and countries, not to dive them. The Americas must remain a zone of peace. On behalf of the OAS, I wish you success, wisdom, and perseverance in this year of study. May you leave here not only better leaders for your nations, but stronger partners for the Americas.

Thank you, and congratulations once again.