Chuck Hagel, U.S. Secretary of Defense, has embarked on a six-day trip to visit three South American countries to emphasize the United States' committal to the defense of the hemisphere. The secretary will also attend a conference of Latin American defense ministers in Peru at the end of his trip.

Hagel embarked on the six-day trip on Thursday, in which he plans to visit Colombia, Chile and Peru, in that order, according to the AFP. Hagel will meet with his counterparts in Colombia and Chile to strengthen the links between the U.S. and its two allies in the region.

Speaking on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby explained how Hagel would conduct his second trip to Latin America as secretary of defense.

"Secretary Hagel will begin his trip in Colombia, where he will meet with Colombian leaders and reinforce our close and wide-ranging defense relationship," Kirby said and added that Hagel will highlight the U.S. support of Colombia as a "security exporter" and the nation's counterinsurgency efforts.

Similarly, Hagel will meet with Chilean leadership, according to Kirby, to "explore ways that the United States can expand our partnership with Chile in [humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peacekeeping] and seek to identify new areas for cooperation in the broader Asia Pacific region."

The trip will culminate in Peru where he will attend the 11th Conference of the Defense Ministers of the Americas.

"Secretary Hagel will stress the United States' commitment to partnerships that strengthen national defense institutions and confront hemispheric security challenges, including ungoverned spaces, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking," Kirby said.

In a press conference on Friday with Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, Hagel applauded the Colombian people for their perseverance and their success in coming so close to a peace agreement with the terrorist group FARC.

He spoke of the special strategic partnership with Colombia the struggle against FARC and, "as Colombia moves toward ending half a century of conflict, the United States will continue to be steadfast in our support for the Colombian government in the negotiations to achieve a just and lasting peace."

During his visit to Chile, Hagel discussed Chile's role in the international community, including its part in the fights against Ebola and ISIL. He also talked about Chile's potential to help maintain stability in the Pacific and Asia.

"As specific nations, with large and growing economies and economic interests in Asia, both Chile and the United States have a shared interest in the continued peace and prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region," Hagel said, highlighting Chile' role in the Rim of the Pacific naval exercise, the first time a South American country participated.