Amid a political context marked by preparations for the 2026 presidential elections, Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez assured that there will be “transparent, legal and safe” elections in Colombia following the recent replacement of military and police leadership.
The statement was made during the promotion ceremony of the public armed forces and the awarding of medals to the new senior officers who will take over the leadership of the country’s military and police forces.
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In his speech, the head of the defense department emphasized that the renewal of the command corresponds not only to a security strategy, but also to the need to ensure democracy in the next electoral process.
“Together with our military and police leadership, which in 2026 will carry out one of the most vigorous campaigns, both military and police, to further improve the security of Colombians but also to ensure democracy, we can say with certainty that next year there will be elections, transparent, legal and safe,” he explained.
Minister Sánchez emphasized that the new leadership will play a central role in territorial control and protecting the electoral processin a scenario that requires greater institutional presence and inter-institutional coordination. As he explained, the 2026 security approach aims to strengthen the authority of the state in regions historically affected by violence and illicit economies.
“Just as we say that the sun will rise tomorrow, elections will take place next year,” the minister affirmed, stressing that public forces will work resolutely during the election campaign to maintain public order and the trust of citizens.
Pedro Sánchez also addressed the issue in the Extraordinary Joint Plenary Session of the Senate of the Republic, explaining the reasons that led President Gustavo Petro, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to order changes in the military leadership. According to the minister, the decision was the result of a detailed analysis that was evaluated over weeks.
The adjustment is a response to the need to align military leadership with a security and democracy strategy in which territorial control plays a primary role. “It is not about discrediting development paths, but about adapting the approach to a more territorial vision that corresponds to the challenges facing the country.“, he remarked.
Sánchez emphasized that the new commanders are not improvised commanders, but officers with decades of experience, academic training and in-depth knowledge of the structure and functioning of the public armed forces. “The armed forces are not losing their way; new players are simply entering a game that we must win,” he stressed.
On December 27, President Gustavo Petro officially announced the change in military leadership and appointed new commanders for the country’s main armed forces as part of strategic adjustments planned until 2026.
General Command of the Armed Forces
General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto was appointed commander general of the armed forces, replacing Admiral Francisco Hernando Cubides Granados. López Barreto was born in Cali in 1968. He is an expert in military sciences and holds a master’s degree in security and defense. He held key positions as Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commander of the Joint Strategic Transition Command and Inspector General of the Armed Forces. He also took part in negotiations with the ELN and in peace missions.
Vice Admiral Harry Ernesto Reyna Niño was appointed Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and has extensive experience in strategic planning and interagency coordination.
National Army
Major General Royer Gómez Herrera took command of the National Army. A civil engineer and master in security and defense, he led strategic units such as Joint Task Force Omega and the First Division. Major General Jaime Alonso Galindo was appointed second in command of the army.
National Navy
In the National Navy, Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón was confirmed as commander, accompanied by Vice Admiral Orlando Enrique Grisales Franceschi as second commander and chief of naval staff.
Colombian Aerospace Forces
Major General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda took over as commander of the Colombian Aerospace Forces, while Major General Alfonso Lozano Ariza was appointed second commander and chief of staff.
A little more than six months before the first round of the presidency, it is said the viewer, The national registrar Hernán Penagos recalled the most important dates of the electoral process. The registry office will certify the registration with a signature by January 21st. Formal registration of candidates begins on January 31st and ends on March 13th.
The presidential consultations and parliamentary elections will take place on March 8, while the first round of presidential elections is scheduled for May 31. Penagos also reiterated that citizens can update their voter registration until January 8 to participate in all elections.or until March 31 for the presidency only.
Against this backdrop, the government insists that the renewal of military leadership is a key element in ensuring the security, institutionality and transparency of the elections that will determine the country’s course in 2026.
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