- The military and police forces will always privilege arrests over deaths in combat.
- Minister of Defense assures that investments are being studied to maintain the Resources of the military forces.
The Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez Gómez, explained the humane security policy that the government of President Gustavo Petro will carry out, warning that Peace does not mean weakness of the Military and Police Forces.
“All this about peace does not mean weakness. Peace is not a surrender of the National Government or the Military Forces. Peace is a process of collective construction in which all the actors of the conflict have a transcendental role,” explained Minister Velásquez.
He in the same way assured that the Military Forces will continue to comply their constitutional obligation to ensure the safety of Colombians, so he explained that the first thing to have is the illegal groups manifestations and concrete actions of willingness to negotiate or to submit.
The ministry of defense said that the new humane security policy prioritizes life over death, so he said that arrests will always be preferred over clashes that end in deaths.
The minister highlighted the new form of relationship of the Military Forces with the communities and also the fundamental role that the military forces can play in the regions, where social projects should be supported together with the other State institutions.
He in the same way referred to the military operations against illegal armed groups, ensuring that they must always respect the lives of minors.
“Minors forcibly recruited by illegal armed groups are victims of this violence that we have lived through for decades. Therefore, any military operation that takes place against members of illegal armed organizations cannot endanger the lives of these victims of violence or civilians.”
Finally, Minister Velázquez said that he is evaluating the investments that should be made in the Colombian Air Force, in the same way, he assured that the capacity of the Military Forces cannot be reduced at this time.
Source: Defense Sector Communications Office - Ministry of National Defense
