Colombia Tuesday offered the commander of the armed forces, General Freddy Padilla, the role as the Andean nation’s new ambassador to the United Nations.
Padilla has said he will consider whether he will take the role and will make an announcement next week. He resigned as armed forces commander in May after five years at the helm of the nation’s military, will leave his post on August 6. On August 8 he is scheduled to travel to the U.S., where he will lead a series of conferences.
Commenting on the appointment of Rodrigo Rivera as defense minister in the incoming administration of Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos, Padilla said he was confident in Rivera’s abilities to lead Colombia’s armed forces. He added that Rivera’s goal will be to maintain unity, in order to continue to achieve results in the nation’s fight against terrorism.
On Monday, Admiral Edgar Augusto Cely Nuñez was named as Colombia’s new commander of the armed forces.
Santos will be inaugurated as Colombia’s next president on August 7.