Humberto de la Calle demonstrates his concern about General Zapateiro's alleged political position

The false start of the commander of the National Army, General Eduardo Enrique Zapateiro Altamiranda, continues to show what he is talking about: various sectors of the country have indicated that his pronouncements can be considered a probable political participation, a fact that is not allowed for members of the military forces. One of the main detractors is Senator-elect Humberto de la Calle Lombana, who considers Zapateiro's position serious and even claims that this fact can be configured as the politicization of weapons.

De la Calle assured that Zapateiro's position would have been valid if he had approached the discussion differently, since he believes that there is validity in the army commander defending his subordinates. However, he assured that this was not the case, given that the general's response was airy and he used a counterattack to politically delegitimize candidate Gustavo Petro. In addition, Humberto de la Calle pointed out that cases of military involvement with drug trafficking have a long history, although it does not have specific details about these particular processes.

Likewise, the former peace negotiator argued that the general's statements may cause an important movement within the military forces themselves, since he stressed that the uniformed will begin to take a political position, even if they are not allowed to.

It should be recalled that, according to the Political Constitution, uniformed persons may not be part of a process of political deliberation, nor participate in it, this, argued in article 219, which reads: “The Public Force is not deliberative; it may not meet except by order of legitimate authority, nor direct petitions, except on matters that are relate to the service and morality of the respective body and in accordance with the law. Members of the security forces shall not exercise the function of suffrage while on active duty, nor may they participate in activities or debates of political parties or movements.”

The elected senator pointed out that the position of the military forces must be apolitical, in addition that this type of oratoria strengthens the politicization of weapons, but with an effect contrary to that of defending the sovereignty of the country, since, in this case, the defense of political parties is remembered from the same authority, a fact that should not be perpetuated, as highlighted by the politician.

In reference to the military, De la Calle mentioned:

In his reflection, the political leader also pointed to the President of the Republic, who endorsed Zapateiro's statement and rejected what Petro mentioned. De la Calle believes that the positions addressed by the commander and duque can create scenarios of fanaticism in military barracks, regarding the subject, he stressed: “The best thing about defense is attack, although it may have validity in military strategy, it is forbidden as an argument of the high generals, because in addition to its impertinence, introduces the morbid nature of fanaticism even to the most remote barracks”.

Some senators have called for Zapateiro's withdrawal from office. However, so far there is no official development of the process.

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