Thanks to the Policy of Free of charge education, and with an investment of $85 billion COP, today 23,062 members of the Military Forces of social economical levels 1, 2 and 3 are studying at training schools to become officers or non-commissioned officers.
During these 30 months of government, seven new Gaula (Anti-Extortion and Anti-Kidnapping Group) groups were created to combat kidnapping and extortion.
In 2024, the highest increase in investment resources in the last 10 years was possible, with an increase of 52.7%; which will recover the MI17 helicopter fleet and strengthen the construction of the military constructions.
The Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez Gómez, presented his management report on more than 30 months at the head of the ministry, where he highlighted important achievements in security, wellbeing of the Military Forces and the fight against organized crime.
During his speech, the Minister highlighted progress on the wellbeing of the Military Forces, including the tripling of the regular soldiers' bonus, the 72% increase in the daily food item and the approval of the first Mental Health Policy for military and police officers.
"We know that working to increase decent conditions for these military and police bases definitely influences the best conductance, with greater commitment, with greater dedication in the fulfillment of their legal and constitutional responsibilities," Velásquez said.
In terms of security, the report highlighted the reduction, by about 20%, of homicide cases in Nariño and Antioquia and the decrease in damages to peace signatories. "our purpose has always been to save lives and we have in the same way protected the lives of social leaders and peace signatories. The damages to those who signed the peace agreements and are working for the construction of the country from legality were reduced by 31.6%,” the Minister highlighted.
It should be noted that in the present Government, a historical record was possible in cocaine findings with 1,934 tons – 66% more than the previous government – in addition to hitting smuggling with findings valued at $301,640 million COP and the destruction of 1,749 units of machinery for illegal mining.
The strengthening of the Military Forces was evidenced by the incorporation of 8,710 specialist soldiers and 14,697 new police officers, as well as the creation of the fourth Army Intelligence and Counterintelligence Headquarters and eight Rapid Deployment Forces (FUDRA) for strategic operations.
“We have focused our efforts on the fact that through these new personnel it was possible to reorganize the resources of the Military Forces to improve their effectiveness and territorial control," Velásquez emphasized.
The Minister in the same way highlighted the operations such as Perseo in the Micay Canyon (Cauca), the protection of COP16 without incidents and the deployment in the Catatumbo region, where communities and peace signatories have been protected; on the latter he added “that communities in an area that has traditionally been immersed in conflict, seek the protection provided by the Army, by military units, this is a revelation of the confidence that the inhabitants have now in their Military Forces."
Finally, he mentioned progress in the reform of the ESMAD with the creation of the Dialogue and Maintenance of Order Unit (UNDMO), which has led to a 71% reduction in the use of force during social demonstrations. "Our purpose is to have a police force that respects human rights and promote dialogue and the negotiated management of the conflict,” Velásquez concluded.
Source: Press – Ministry of National Defense
