In an unexpected move, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday replaced his country’s entire military command and assigned a new director for the National Police.
The president presented the newly-reformed military command at a press conference at the presidential palace on Monday, during which it became clear that Santos had simultaneously replaced the commanders of the armed forces, the national army and the police.
Especially the replacement of National Police director General Jose Roberto Leon came unexpected as the top cop spent less than a year and a half on his post. He will be replaced by the Police’s current public security director, General Rodolfo Palomino.
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Armed Forces commander Alejandro Navas has been replaced by General Leonardo Barrero and National Army commander General Sergio Mantilla made place for Major General Juan Pablo Rodriguez. Major General Hugo Acosta was appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“The new military and police command will carry the enormous responsibility of replacing the armed forces commanders who have harvested most results in the recent history of Colombia,” said Santos while presenting the third batch of military commanders since taking office in August 2010.
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The military reorganization comes in the middle of peace talks with the country’s largest rebel group, the FARC, that began in November last year.
Sources
- Presidente dio a conocer la nueva cúpula de las Fuerzas Militares y de Policía (President’s Office)