AFTER serving two years as the Defence, Naval and Army Attaché of Brazil to Guyana, Colonel Wilson Mendes Lauria handed over the responsibility to his successor, Colonel Ronaldo Pacheco yesterday, in a ceremony at the Grand Coastal Inn, Plantation Le Ressouvenir,  East Coast  Demerara.

At the event, with President Donald Ramotar and members of the Diplomatic Corps in attendance, outgoing Attache Lauria expressed thanks to staff, colleagues and his family, especially his wife Jacqueline. During his tenure, Lauria had continued the strengthening of the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Guyana Defence Force and the Brazilian Armed Forces.
He praised the outstanding military regime in Guyana and thanked the Guyana Defence Force for their camaraderie and congeniality, noting that the  two countries have a wider horizon to explore together.
Complying with the norms of the Brazilian Armed Forces, Lauria pronounced the words of handing over responsibility to Pacheco, after which they presented themselves to the Highest Brazilian Authority in Guyana, Ambassador Luiz Gilberto Seixas De Andrade, who officiated at the handing over. Ambassador De Andrade said that Guyana-Brazil cooperation will evolve and Pacheco will play an important role.
Born in the State of Rio Grande Do Sul Brazil, he enlisted in the Brazilian Army in 1984 and graduated from the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras in 1987, achieving his present rank in August 2011.
His completed military courses include the Calvary Course of the Military Academy of the Agulhas Negras; Maintenance of Tanks; Armoured Calvary Courses; and an Army Command and Staff course.
He is Commander of the Tank Platoon; Commander of the Mechanised Calvary Squadron; Instructor of Calvary Course at Officers Temporary School in Porto Algre; State of Rio Grande Do Sul; Member of the Army Commander Cabinet and Logistic Battalion Commander in Curitiba, State of Parana.
His decorations include the Military Silver Medal; Troops Corps Bronze Medal; Peace Keeping Medal and Marshal Osorio; the Legendary Medal.
A husband and father of two daughters, he is accompanied to Guyana by his wife Mrs Marcia Iracema Moura Pacheco and his daughter Julia Iracema.