In a meeting with the people in Yopal, Casanare, the Minister of National Defense, Iván Velásquez Gómez, presented a report of the progress in security and highlighted the achievements of the Military Forces under the Government of President Gustavo Petro.
Accompanied by the military and police commanders, the minister reaffirmed the Defense sector's commitment to Humane Security, a policy that goes beyond military operations and arrest figures. "We talked about transforming the realities of the territories, protecting the communities, respecting human rights and taking care of our common home,” Velásquez highlighted.
Main achievements in security
1. Reduction of homicides
* So far this year, 235 more lives have been saved compared to the previous year, reflecting a decrease in the homicide rate. "These are not just figures, they are mothers, fathers, children and the elderly who continue to share Christmas as a family today,” the minister highlighted.
2. Strengthening of the Military Forces
* Recruitment of 63% of the annual goal, with 5,834 new members for the Army, 197 for the Navy and 953 for the Aerospace Force.
* In Casanare, 5 new platoons (180 professional soldiers) were deployed and the arrival of 3 additional platoons in 2025 was announced.
* Free education for Military Forces training schools, benefiting more than 12,000 students.
* 70% increase in the minimum wage for regular soldiers and auxiliary police, starting in January 2025.
* 72% improvement in the daily food item for the troops.
3. Progress in humanitarian demining
* Prioritization of 24 municipalities.
* Intervention of more than 3 million square meters and destruction of 250 explosive devices.
4. Environmental protection
* Creation of the Water Police Group, with 116 police officers specialized in protecting water sources and combating illegal activities.
* Planting of thousands of seedlings throughout the country, including 400 in Yopal, in coordination with the Government and the Mayor's Office.
* Finding of 641 specimens of wild flora and fauna and more than 111 cubic meters of wood in Casanare.
5. Modernization of police constructions and capabilities
* Reconstruction of 280 police stations.
* Implementation of 60,000 scholarships for police officers to be bilingual.
* Strengthening of the Central Police Hospital in Bogotá, with new psychological and ophthalmological units, as well as state-of-the-art equipment.
6. Humanitarian and social efforts
The general commander of the Military Forces, Admiral Francisco Cubides, highlighted the unarmed work of the Military Forces:
* Transfer of humanitarian aid to territories hit by the wave caused by rains, benefiting more than 50 thousand people.
* Participation of military engineers in the construction of bridges, schools and tertiary roads, improving connectivity in rural areas.
For his part, the director of the National Police, General William René Salamanca, highlighted the implementation of initiatives for the well-being of members of the Military Forces, such as the improvement of vacation resorts and the relocation of more than 20 thousand police officers who were far of their families.
At the end of the accountability, Minister Velásquez invited Colombians to reflect on the meaning of security: “It is not only the responsibility of the Military Forces; it is a commitment that we must assume together, as a society.”
The event culminated with the participation of the minister and the military and police commanders in the Novenas for Life (Christmas praying), an initiative of the National Government to bring a message of peace, coexistence and harmony to all regions of the country.
Source: Press – Ministry of National Defense
