Graduate from the Command and General Staff Officer Course asumes command of Panamanian Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT) Special Forces Brigade

PANAMA CITY, PANAMÁ – Subcommisioner(LTC) Edgar Pitti, a Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) alumnus (CGSOC 2018-2019), assumed command of the Special Forces Brigade on Sept 24, 2020. He received the guidon from the Honorable Juan Manuel Pino Forero, Minister of Public Security. Coincidentally, Pino is also a WHINSEC graduate (CGSOC 2008).

The Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT, is Panama's equivalent to the U.S. Border Patrol. "The SENAFRONT, Special Forces Brigade represents an imperative, functional, and dynamic element providing security in very complex operational environments. The proper analysis of operational and mission variables are representatives of how WHINSEC teaches doctrine perfectly to be applicable in our functions," said Pitti.

He added, "WHINSEC is the doctrinal foundation to be able to develop ourselves as Western Hemisphere security professionals in our countries. The fact of being at the head of the Special Forces Brigade has a lot to do with the cognitive and pragmatic growth learned at WHINSEC," concluded Pitti.

“This further demonstrates the quality of officer that is trained at our Institute, commented COL Cenen Castillo, Deputy Commandant – Police Affairs. Our Partner Nations sends us their top-notch officers, for them to be immersed on the exchange of concepts, ideas and experiences of fellow students and cadre, while grasping the doctrinal knowledge in the areas of Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and an ever-changing operational environment involving constant multi-service; multi-agency communication and coordination,” added Castillo.