CHIEF OF DEFENSE OF COLOMBIA

GENERAL HUGO ALEJANDRO LÓPEZ BARRETO 

General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto was born in the city of Cali on September 20, 1968. He is the son of Orlando López and Elsa Barreto, and the second of four siblings: Óscar, Andrés and Lina María, who together with their parents have forged a solid family, inspired by principles and values.

 He has been married for 26 years to María Marcela Martínez and from that union his children Nicolás and Alejandra were born, who have been his permanent support throughout his career. Catholic, he has built his personal and professional life hand in hand with his family, from discipline, vocation of service and a deep love for Colombia.

 He entered the Military School General José María Córdova on January 20, 1984, at the age of 15. Subsequently, on December 05, 1987 he graduated as a Second Lieutenant of Cavalry.

 He is a professional in Military Sciences, military professor of the Colombian Army, qualified as a military professor of the War Academy of the Chilean Army and has a postgraduate degree in higher pedagogy of the Universidad de los Andes of Chile; Master in Security and Defense of the Superior War College.

 He has completed military courses of Lancero, paratrooper and armored assets; Psychological Operations course in the United States, in addition to various Diplomas in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, consolidating a training that has led him to build his military career under respect for the Constitution and the Law.

Institutional experience

The President of the Republic appointed General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto as Chief of the Colombian Military Forces, entrusting him with the strategic mission of leading the Institution towards strengthening security and defending democracy, national priorities in 2026.

 In this context, his purpose is oriented to the neutralization of illicit activities, the defense of the constitutional order, the commitment to legitimate, effective and transcendent security, the military and institutional control of the territory and the stabilization of the regions, especially the most critical strategic areas, through joint, coordinated and interagency military operations; and in a coordinated work in which the resources of the State converge to protect the inhabitants and work to increase the validity of the Social Rule of law throughout Colombian territory.

Throughout his more than 42 years of service, he has held strategic positions, including: Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Military Forces, Commander of the Strategic Joint Transition Command and Military Peace Observer, as a Military Observer at the negotiation table with the ELN representing the Military Forces, Inspector General of the Military Forces, Director General of Military Health of the Military Forces during the COVID-19 pandemic where he was recognized with the distinction The Exemplary Colombian, Commander of the Joint Command No. 1 Caribe and No. 4 Orinoquía, Commander of the First Division of Colombian National Army, Commander of the Comprehensive operation and Development Support Command, where support was provided to the most vulnerable communities in the national territory, Commander of the Vulcano Task Force, Military Deputy of the Embassy of Colombia in Washington, Commander of the Sumapaz Task Force, Commander of the Mobile Brigade No. 21, Director of the Military School of Non-Commissioned Officers, Guest Professor of the War Academy of the Army of Chile, Adjutant General of Colombian National Army Command and Commander of the Anti-Drug Trafficking Battalion No. 3 in the south of the country, among others.

This extensive experience of the military, academic and strategic operation has led him to know the social and security realities of the country in an comprehensive way, and to consolidate a vision of Military Forces closer to Colombians, institutionally cohesive, with commitment to the Constitutional mission and respectful of institutional principles and values; which projects General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto as an officer with the ability to face the current challenges and challenges of the Nation.

For the high-ranking officer, the greatest capital of the Military Forces are the men and women who, every day, give their work to the service of Colombia. For this reason, he has made the well-being, morale and strengthening of the life project of soldiers, sailors, navy men, airmen and their families a permanent priority in his leadership.

For his experience and service he has received, among others, the following distinctions: Order of Boyacá, Order of Military Merit Antonio Nariño in the Grand Officer and Commander categories, Order of Military Merit José María Córdova in the Grand Officer and Commander categories, Order of Sanitary Merit José Fernández Madrid in the Grand Officer category, Medal Distinguished Services in Law and order (for the fourth time), Order of Merit Coronel Guillermo Fergusson in the Commander category, Medal for Service Time for 40 years, Military Medal Distinguished Services to the Military Forces of Colombia, Diosa Minerva medal of the War Academy of the Chilean Army, among others.

He was promoted to the rank of General on August 7, 2024, as a result of his unwavering commitment to the Nation and as a recognition of his professional excellence, his deep love for democracy.