"The challenge persists; illegal armed groups are recovering quickly” defense minister to the troops.
Strengthening of military and strategic operations resources: cornerstone of the Pedro Sánchez Suárez era in the Ministry of Defense.
Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez introduced the 4 challenges of his management at the head of the Ministry of Defense.
"We cannot continue to allow outrages against military and police officers. We in the same way have fundamental rights."
The Petro government has neutralized the threat of more than 14,000 members of illegal armed groups: Minister Pedro Sanchez Suarez.
In a military ceremony held at the parade ground of the alma mater of Colombian National Army officers, the President of the Republic Gustavo Petro, accompanied by of the military and police commanders, accompanied his new Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez Suárez, in the act of recognition of troops; a protocol event of military tradition through which the Head of State takes the oath of that pone who will serve as the second commander-in-chief of the entire Military Forces, after the president.
In his first speech to the troops, the Minister made a diagnosis of the country's security situation and with total frankness and honesty warned that it is impossible to deny the complex challenges that Colombia faces in this matter. However, he was emphatic in pointing out that the institutions of the Defense sector will be able to work to increase the effectiveness of the strategy and the achievement of sustainable results if the same purpose is worked on with the territorial authorities. “Protecting Colombians, is key to unite around a higher good, let's work hand in hand with governors, mayors, leaders from all sectors and the community," Sánchez explained.
The secret will be in the capabilities
Defense and Citizen Coexistence Policy of the Government of Change has as its fundamental north the commitments for life and peace, and that is very clear to the newly appointed Minister of Defense, who spared no word to emphasize the importance and relevance of this task: “There is nothing more valuable than protecting life and working to ensure that every Colombian can live with dignity and tranquility.”
Before moving to the level of execution and monitoring the Government's Security Policy, until just a few weeks ago, the current Minister was one of those in charge of directing and conducting large military operations, so he knows perfectly well the strategic advantage provided by having large military and intelligence operations resources.
"In that sense, I want to be clear: we are going to improve and strengthen the resources of the forces, because we cannot demand soldiers and police officers to fulfill their mission without providing them with adequate and dignified conditions to do so (...) the State has the duty to give them the best resources and conditions to do so,” the senior official said.
Challenges and tasks
The head of the Ministry of Defense said that among his priorities and/or management axes will be the free and transparent elections of 2026, the recovery of territorial control in order to strengthen national sovereignty, as well as reaffirming the values of integrity and institutional ethics and, of course, the necessary strengthening of the resources of the Military Forces of movement and maneuver to confront the threats.
Honor to whom honor deserves it
As a man with a deep vocation of service and love for the uniform he wore for 35 years, Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez did not hide his pride and emotion when addressing the entire troops.
"To all the members of the Military Forces, my deepest appreciation. Thank you for your daily dedication, for every sacrifice made in the name of the homeland. You are the pride of Colombia, the fundamental support of its sovereignty and of its future. You are not alone in this task.
The homeland would not exist without someone to defend it!", the Minister emphasized.
Recognition of a legacy
Finally, and with only 9 days in office, Minister Sánchez honored the operation carried out for almost 31 months by his predecessor, lawyer Iván Velásquez Gómez, of whom he highlighted the flag of the fight against corruption.
"It leaves us with a struggle that we must not abandon, because corruption erodes institutions from within, undermines the confidence of citizens and weakens the ability to protect the nation. We will maintain this commitment to transparency and integrity firmly," minister said.
