Colombia names new military chiefs as US Southern Command chief arrives
Colombia's president appoints new military commanders and reiterates a hardline stance against armed groups as the US Southern Command chief visits Bogota.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has appointed new commanders for the country's armed forces, a move that comes as the head of the US Southern Command arrives in Bogota for talks.
The ceremony took place on Wednesday at the military academy in the capital. The new leadership is led by Defense Minister General Jorge Eduardo Mora López.
During the event, President Espriella, who took office earlier this month, reaffirmed his administration's hardline position on security. He stated that there is no room for dialogue with armed groups, a stance that marks a clear departure from the previous government's peace efforts.
"There is no room for dialogue here. As I said on the day of my inauguration, that option has been exhausted," Espriella said. He added that those who persist in violence will face consequences on the battlefield.
The president also warned that no official or citizen is authorized to communicate with terrorist groups, and that individuals wanted by foreign authorities will be handed over.
The new military leadership is expected to meet with Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of the US Southern Command, who arrived in Colombia on Wednesday. The US Southern Command stated that Donovan's visit aims to discuss joint efforts to combat narco-terrorists and strengthen the US-Colombia security partnership.
The Espriella administration has requested US collaboration in military operations and has joined the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition, a US-led initiative.