The ceremony commemorating the 56th anniversary of the Ministry of National Defense, an institution of the National Government responsible for formulating and carry out Defense and Security policies for all Colombians, was held on Wednesday in the parade ground of the Army Infantry School.
During the ceremony, recognition was given to the men and women, who for their services to the institution and for their permanence in their positions deserve to wear with pride the insignia of the Ministry in its different categories.
“When a society is threatened, as is the case in Colombia at the moment, the response has to be a solid state with greater institution. There is a whole criminal cocktail that seeks to surpass the legitimate authority of the State, even daring to attack the life of the President of the Republic and his ministers. Our Military and Police Forces will never led it," Minister Molano warned before the Military and Police High Command and Ministry officials.
"There is a whole criminal cocktail that seeks to surpass the legitimate authority of the State, they even dared to attack the life of the President of the Republic and his ministers. Our Military and Police Forces will never led it," the head of the ministry of Defense added.
"There are those who sought, through vandalism, to silence the voice of the peaceful demonstration. We don’t let them to do it! There are those who used slander and insult to discredit our Military Forces. We don’t let them to do it! There are those who plant illicit plantations and fill Colombia's fields with terror. We don’t let them to do it! Minister Molano categorically stated.
He in the same way highlighted, during his words to the public servants of the institution and the members of the Military Forces, that “this is an institution that is composed of Forces that are guardians of sovereignty; the Police is guarantor of coexistence, and civilians support the operation of these and guarantees the wellbeing and health of the members of the Military Forces”.
The head of the Ministry of Defense highlighted that the men and women, civilians and members of the Military Forces of this institution make a great contribution to strengthen the defense of the nation and guarantee the security of all citizens.
He in the same way said that this institution must, as well as the Military Forces and the National Police, conduct and strengthen its resources to meet the new challenges.
“With the help of all of you, we are working on a great transformation of this Institution. We will have a Ministry of Defense, which increasingly defends the good physical condition of the Republic from external threats and also protects our people,” said Minister Molano.
Finally, he informed all public servants of the General Management Unit about the most important changes and adjustments that will be made within the structure of the organization.
"We will transform the deputy minister of Policy and International Affairs in the Ministry of Defence and Security Policies that will monitor the policy of national security, public safety policy and the policy of coexistence in the city," said the Minister of Defense, after explaining that "it will have an observatory for human rights which shall prepared an annual report on the policy which will lead us to achieve excellence in the field. As a legacy for the country, we will create the Veteran's Directorate, which will lead the implementation of the promotion and participation programs created in recognition of his work," said the Minister.
During the ceremony, the distinguished services medals grand Cross category (8), grand official category (21), distinguished services category (20), the service time buttons of 20, 15 and 10 years of service and the meritorious behavior badge of the Security Group of the Ministry of National Defense (7), were granted.
Source: Defence Sector Communications Office - Ministry of National Defence
