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President Iván Duque has on his desk, since last September 22, the request for the voluntary withdrawal of Colonel Pedro Javier Rojas Guevara, director of the National Army Doctrine Center.
That of Rojas, an experienced officer with 33 years in the institution, is a key position because that doctrine feeds military planning and field operations. And, since 2011, it has been carrying out the so-called Damascus plan, the axis of articulation of the second great reform and modernization of the Army that shapes what experts have called the new military DNA.
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Colonel Rojas’s retirement letter has been in Casa de Nariño for more than a month.
For this reason, the terms that the senior official uses in his letter to the President, known exclusively by EL TIEMPO, have alarmed those who have had access to them, which has not yet been elaborated.
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“I must respectfully but emphatically declare to the President of the Republic that I have absolutely lost faith in the institutional High Command, led by General Eduardo Enrique Zapateiro, commander of the National Army, who, without a shadow of a doubt, not only prevents me from continuing under his orders but, moreover, it goes against my Christian principles and values such as loyalty, fidelity and transparency ”, says the senior official.
According to Colonel Rojas, the last commanders of the army, including General Nicacio Martínez (left), supported Damascus. but not Eduardo Zapateiro.
And he adds: “For this reason, after meditating calmly with God and my family, I decided for my honor and dignity, to take this important step with my head held high, the satisfaction of having fulfilled my duty and an enormous gratitude after 33 years of service. to this noble institution and the country we have sworn to defend ”.
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What led Colonel Rojas to ask for his leave? What’s behind your words?
EL TIEMPO located the officer and although he initially claimed that the so-called Damascus doctrine – which allowed the Army to reach NATO and which has been replicated in other countries – has entered a kind of lull due to the pandemic, and was subsequently shipped.
I have absolutely lost faith in the High Command, led by General Zapateiro, which prevents me from continuing to his orders and goes against my Christian principles and values.
Connection with Havana
“There is an obvious internal leadership crisis. We have 25 fewer generals than there should be, and officers of other ranks have also left, “he replied when asked about the contents of his letter.
(In context: these were the Court’s questions to an intelligence officer)
For Rojas it is clear that this lack of leadership and internal incompetence does not generate trust in the troops.
And speaking of Damascus, he stressed that they continue to register it as a doctrine developed by one of the parties: General Alberto Mejía, former commander of the military forces. And that’s why they took off support.
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Huge public resources have been invested in Damascus. What will happen with that investment?
Courtesy of the 7th Army Division
“Since 2011, generals Navas, Mantilla, Rodriguez, Lasprilla, Mejía, Gómez and Martinez have supported the doctrinal evolution called Damascus, within the framework of the army transformation plan (2011-2030). The strange thing is that the current commander wants to cancel something that has been beneficial to the institution, “he said in a dialogue with this newspaper.
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For Rojas, it is clear that this lack of leadership and internal incompetence does not generate confidence in middle cadres and troops.
For Rojas, it is clear that this lack of leadership and internal incompetence does not generate trust in middle cadres and troops.
President Iván Duque has already ordered the preparation of the colonel’s retirement decree but has not commented on the contents of his letter of voluntary withdrawal from the army.
“It is a grave mistake to associate Damascus with Havana. The decision to cancel it has missed the leaders of other armies that have replicated the model in their countries, such as Canada, Ecuador, Nigeria, Thailand, Peru, Nigeria, Panama and the Dominican Republic. We are global partners of NATO because Damascus exists, it is the common professional language and the strategic-operational umbilical cord ”, added the senior official.
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And he concluded: “Canceling the Damascus doctrine implies damage to the army’s assets, as there are billions of pesos invested in a nascent project, Nero reminds me when I burned Rome”
Why Damascus?
Finally, when asked why this doctrine was baptized by Damascus, he explained:
“The name Damascus is a Bible-inspired analogy, which gives it a deep spiritual meaning for those of us who believe in God, it’s not a religious issue, nor a banality, it’s understanding that Damascus represents doctrinal” conversion, “and a new vision for the Army, as happened to Saul transformed into the apostle Paul on his trip to Damascus, an event narrated in the book of Acts “, he clarified.
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And he insisted that Damascus represents a change in the mentality of the commanders: “Without losing the DNA, our essence, the name gives strength to this new military thought. We are an army with a believing majority, our mottos indicate it: Faith in the Cause, God in all our actions, we do not understand why they feel discomfort with a name that has the power of God ”.
(See here all the articles of the EL TIEMPO Investigation Unit)
A response is now awaited from Commander Zapateiro.
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
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