Incoming commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, Edgar Cely, said that there will be a zero tolerance policy for human rights abuses under his leadership, while other new military appointees stress the need for increased spending, reports W Radio.
“Everyone [in the armed forces] has received instructions, courses, etcetera, and we are always adhering to military ethics, nobody must stray from the path. The policy is that there is zero tolerance for violation of human rights,” said Cely.
Admiral Edgar Augusto Cely Nuñez was named commander of the Colombian Armed Forces Monday, replacing the outgoing Freddy Padilla, who resigned in late May after five years at the helm.
The new commander of the Colombian Air Force, General Julio Gonzalez, said that one of the main objectives in his new role will be to train more young pilots, but also urged Colombian President-elect Santos to purchase anti-aircraft defense systems for the airforce.
“We need an air defense system to not allow any foreign enemy to dare violate our sovereignty. We need support to detect the enemy … that will guarantee to Colombia that we can respond and enforce our sovereignty,” Gonzalez said.
The general said that Colombians should relax because the “force [used by the air force] is based on intelligence information, while preserving the rules of international humanitarian law.”
The incoming commander of the Navy, Admiral Alvaro Enchandia, said that the Colombian Navy also needs a spending boost, as new technology and resources are needed to intercept illegal boats in Colombian waters.