The ARC Gloria Arrives in San Francisco for Fleet Week 2025

The Colombian Navy’s training ship, ARC Gloria, the nation’s ambassador on the seas and a proud symbol of Colombia’s maritime tradition, arrived in the Bay of San Francisco, marking the beginning of its participation in Fleet Week 2025.

The majestic three-masted vessel, flagship of the Colombian Navy, docked at its first U.S. port in a protocol ceremony led by Ambassador Daniel García-Peña, alongside local authorities and representatives of the United States Navy.

Captain Luis Fernando Lara Cogollo, commanding officer of the vessel, together with the crew and cadets, were formally welcomed at the pier with full honours.

During the ceremony, Ambassador García-Peña highlighted the diplomatic and symbolic significance of the visit:

"The arrival of the Gloria in San Francisco is more than a naval tradition, it is a symbol of Colombia’s enduring friendship with the United States and of our shared commitment to cooperation at sea. Our diplomacy also sails the seas, carried forward by the professionalism of the Colombian Navy and its sailors.”

The Gloria will remain open to the public throughout its stay in the city, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to tour one of the world’s most emblematic training ships and to meet its 154 crew members, a reflection of the discipline, dedication, and professionalism of the Colombian Navy.

Colombia’s participation in Fleet Week 2025 underscores shared values of cooperation, friendship, and freedom of navigation, strengthening historic ties between both nations through naval diplomacy, professional training, and cultural exchange.

The Gloria is scheduled to set sail again on Monday, 13 October, at 4:00 p.m., with the traditional farewell salute from the crew atop the masts, a signature image of Colombia’s Navy and a symbol of the nation’s enduring maritime spirit.