Since I assumed as Minister of National Defense, since the first moment, as evidenced in various public declarations, I noticed that I feel a total solidarity with our Military Forces, for what they represent as an institution for the health of our democracy. But immediately afterwards I always noted that I would have zero tolerance for the smallest illegal or immoral act of any of its members.
I have told generals and admirals so in our work meetings, I have repeated it to all the members of our Security forces where I go, and that is the way it has to be, we have to be clean, without fault, to have the support of the Colombians, to deserve our legitimacy.
That has always been the thinking of the President of the Republic, Iván Duque. And what I do is to follow his instructions, which correspond to my convictions.
As a result of the inquiries that have been made since the end of 2019, following instructions of the President, and journalistic denunciations, decisions were announced yesterday such as the retirement of 11 Army officers by an internal administrative decision.
The inquiries, disciplinary and criminal, must continue with all rigor and promptness, that is what has been demanded by President Duque during these months and on that way we continue to progress.
Our mission is to prosecute crime and we still have a lot to do in this area. We cannot deviate from that way.
The publication that Magazine Semana made this weekend is of immense gravity. It is very serious what has been denounced on what have been done against journalists, political leaders, non-governmental organizations.
Press freedom cannot be in any discussion. Persecuting journalists cannot be, in any way, for any reason, an operation carried out by any military. No citizen, indeed.
In the same way, it is very serious to us that personal information profile has been made on Mr. Jorge Mario Eastman, who at that time was serving as Secretary General of the Presidency.
It is extremely serious that these operations have reached the Casa de Nariño or even the office of the President of the Republic.
Now is the time to ask the control agencies, the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation and the Office of the Inspector general of the Nation, to conduct as soon as possible, and with the necessary rigor, the actions to know the full truth about these events.
As Minister of Defense, I promise to collaborate so that the law enforcement finds those responsible for those operations, with no hesitation.
I will not doubt, as I have never done it, to make the necessary decisions.
Our Military Forces have to be solid walls to continue building our democracy and our society on them.
Source: Sectorial Communication - Ministry of National Defense
