President Gustavo Petro announced the replacement of the military leadership and appointed new commanders for the country’s main armed forces. The decision comes in the context of strategic adjustments on national security and defense issues aimed at addressing the challenges forecast until 2026.
The selected officers have extensive operational backgrounds, advanced academic training and experience in highly complex scenarios.
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General Hugo Alejandro López Barreto was appointed head of the Armed Forces General Command, replacing Admiral Francisco Hernando Cubides Granados. López Barreto was born in Cali in 1968, entered the General José María Córdova military cadet school in 1984 and graduated as a lieutenant in the cavalry arm in 1987.
He is an expert in military sciences, has a master’s degree in security and defense and has served as a military professor both in Colombia and at the Chilean Army War Academy.
During his career López Barreto has held positions as Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed ForcesCommander of the Joint Strategic Transition Command, Inspector General of the Armed Forces and Director General of Military Health during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was a member of the government delegation in negotiations with the ELN and a military observer in peacekeeping missions. “I have built my career respecting the Constitution and the law,” the general has stated in various institutional settings.
Major General Royer Gómez Herrera was appointed commander of the National Army following the departure of General Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría. Gómez Herrera is a civil engineer, military science specialist and master in security and defense with specialization in the army of engineers. He was born in Bucaramanga and attended the military cadet school in 1991.
Over the course of his career Gómez Herrera led the First Division, Joint Task Force Omega and the Third Brigade. in addition to his role as deputy head of the institutional administrative staff. His profile includes experience in operational leadership, strategic planning and administrative management. As head of Army operations, he coordinated operations in high conflict areas.
Major General Jaime Alonso Galindo was appointed second in command of the armywith experience in command, planning and territorial control operations.
In the National Navy, Admiral Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón was confirmed as commander. Rozo Obregón has developed a career focused on maritime and riverine operations and combating drug trafficking and the illicit economy in riverine and coastal areas.
Vice Admiral Orlando Enrique Grisales Franceschi will continue as second commander and chief of naval staffwith a consolidated track record in strategic planning and operational management.
Major General Carlos Fernando Silva Rueda was appointed commander of the Colombian Aerospace Forces, replacing General Luis Carlos Córdoba Avendaño. Silva Rueda is a military pilot, trained in aviation administration, security and defense, and led aerospace operations and interagency coordination.
Major General Alfindo Ariza took over as second commander and chief of staff of the Aerospace Forces. with experience in modernization and institutional strengthening.
Vice Admiral Harry Ernesto Reyna Niño was appointed chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, replacing López Barreto. His career developed in the National Navy, where he had experience in strategic planning and interagency coordination, making him an important liaison between the various branches of the armed forces.
President Gustavo Petro recognized the work of Admiral Francisco Hernando Cubides Granados, General Luis Carlos Córdoba Avendaño and General Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaríawho led the Armed Forces, Aerospace Forces and National Army respectively. “The outgoing commanders were responsible for major operations of the Armed Forces, highlighting the recovery of the city of El Plateado, Argelia, Cauca,” the President said.
Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez also expressed his appreciation: “I would like to express my sincerest and respectful appreciation to the outgoing commanders of our armed forces… for their leadership, their calling to service and their results at the helm of critical operations for the country.” Sánchez emphasized that the armed forces under his command achieved a favorability index of 76.6%, the highest in recent years.
The new appointments come in the context of strategic adjustments in the defense sector set by the national government for the coming years. President Petro noted that the changes are aimed at responding to the security and defense of democracy challenges expected around 2026, prioritizing the protection of institutions and strengthening the armed forces.
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