TURBO – Marines from the Dutch Caribbean Marine Squadron and the boat platoon of the Netherlands Marine Corps have completed a joint military exercise with the Colombian Navy’s Marine Infantry in Colombia, strengthening operational cooperation between both forces.
The exercise, named Estribo, took place from May 11 to 22 in the challenging river region near Turbo, Colombia, where Dutch and Colombian marines trained together in realistic operational scenarios focused on riverine and jungle warfare.
According to the Dutch military, the exercise centered on exchanging knowledge, operational experience and tactical procedures during missions on and around waterways in difficult terrain.
The marines trained side by side in dense jungle environments along riverbanks, with a strong focus on improving operational readiness and interoperability between the two marine forces.
During the exercise, troops practiced tactical movements over water, small-team operations and missions in hard-to-access areas under demanding environmental conditions.
The training forms part of broader regional military cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and partner countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, particularly in areas involving maritime security, counter-narcotics operations and regional stability.
Participants described the exercise as intensive and educational, emphasizing that both sides benefited from learning each other’s operational methods and field experience.
According to the Dutch military, the joint exercise further strengthened the relationship between the Dutch Marines and the Colombian Infantería de Marina, while improving the deployability and operational capabilities of both units.