Colombia Dismisses Army Commander Amid Escalating Security Crisis in Southwest Region

Amid a security crisis in the southwest of Colombia, President Gustavo Petro has dismissed General Luis Mauricio Ospina, the commander of the Army, on Monday. The attacks in the region have intensified, mainly by the Central General Staff (EMC), the main dissidence of the FARC. The government had suspended the bilateral ceasefire in Nariño, Valle del Cauca, and Cauca due to the violence against indigenous people and public force.

General Ospina was relatively unnoticed in security decisions during his tenure as Army commander which began on August 12, 2022. He was involved in a scandal of allegedly monitoring and illegally intercepting his wife’s English teacher, linking him to FARC dissidents. Retired General Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría will replace Ospina as Army commander. He previously served in roles like head of commandos of Air Assault Aviation and commander of the Eighth Division.

General Cardozo has extensive experience having served in various capacities in the Army for over 35 years. He holds a degree in Military Sciences from the General Military Cadet School and a master’s degree in Security and Defense. He also has training in engineering. His appointment comes at a critical time as Colombia faces security challenges in the southwest region.

The Ministry of Defense announced that retired General Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaría will assume the position as Army commander on Monday amid a security crisis in Colombia’s southwest region.

During his tenure as Army commander which began on August 12, 2022, General Ospina was relatively unnoticed in security decisions. However, he was involved in a scandal involving illegal surveillance of his wife’s English teacher who he accused of being linked to FARC dissidents.

General Cardozo Santamaría brings extensive experience to his new role as Army commander having previously served as head of commandos for Air Assault Aviation and Eighth Division.

The attacks have intensified mainly by Central General Staff (EMC) with several casualties resulting from these attacks.

General Ospina was removed due to an increase of operations by