The title to the emblematic boat exalts its historical legacy and its role in international diplomacy.
News Colombia.
The Arc Gloria ship, known as Colombia’s floating ambassador, has been officially distinguished with the honorary title of ‘Colombian ambassador to the seas’. This recognition was granted through decree 0907 of 2025, signed by President Gustavo Petro, the Minister of Foreign Affairs (E), Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy, and the Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez.
“The honor title of ‘Colombian ambassador to the seas’ for its historical, cultural and representative value of Colombia at the international level, to continue representing the interests of the nation before the world before the world,” says article 1 of the Decree. “
The standard also establishes that this title can be used in all official activities, ceremonies and protocol events of the flagship.
The document also emphasizes that ARC Gloria is the Alma Mater of the sailors of Colombia, where cadets learn from coastal and astronomical navigation to the management of modern equipment, becoming a training space that has marked entire generations.
#Outstanding ⚓️Thanks to decree 0907 of August 13, 2025, today we can proud
🫡#ProteGamoselazuldelaBandera 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/ftweagg70Q
– Colombian Navy (@armadacolombia) August 16, 2025
A journey that began in 1966
The history of Gloria began in January 1966, when the then Commander of the National Navy, Vice Admiral Orlando Lemaitare Torres, sought authorization to acquire a Sailing school ship. The anecdote tells that the Minister of Defense of the time, Gabriel Revéiz Pizarro, approved the idea when writing in a napkin the phrase “Vale for a sailboat”, marking the beginning of a legacy that still endures.
The construction contract was signed in October 1966 and in April 1967 began to be built in Bilbao, Spain. Finally, on December 2, 1967 he played the waters for the first time and, in October 1968, he undertook his trip to Cartagena, Colombia.
With more than half a century of history, ARC Gloria has traveled the oceans visiting countries such as England, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Morocco, New Zealand, Argentina and the United States. In each port, the ship has brought with it a sample of Colombian culture, biodiversity and talent, consolidating itself as a floating sample of national identity.
“On each tour and international journey, the Arc Gloria ship contributes and strengthens the work of Colombia’s diplomatic and consular representations abroad,” says the decree that recognizes it as an ambassador.
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