Army General Gustavo Fajardo, chief of the Defense Staff (Esmade), requested this Friday the voluntary retirement, according to the Defense Ministry on Saturday. As Fajardo told The Observerhis decision was due to differences he had with Minister Javier García.
The portfolio indicated that the request is due to “personal reasons” and that it will continue in office until the Executive Branch determines its replacement.
the gral. Army Gustavo Fajardo, head of Esmade, requested yesterday and in accordance with current regulations, the move to voluntary retirement motivated by personal reasons. the gral. Fajardo will continue in office until the Executive Branch takes over.
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“I did not share and do not share some points of view, as well as some decisions made by the minister (Javier García),” Fajardo told The Observer.
The military spoke about these differences with the Defense Minister himself after a routine meeting, but failing to reach a point of agreement, Fajardo made the decision to voluntarily withdraw from his position as chief of the Defense Staff.
“The minister is the minister and deserves our obedience, but given the position one holds, I understand that there are things that should be different. The forms are those arranged by him and if you don’t agree, you have to leave,” Fajardo explained to The Observer.
The disagreements between García and Fajardo, until now Chief of the Defense Staff, arose due to “differences in work and opinion on military matters; that led to a deterioration in the relationship. Asked about these matters, Fajardo did not want to provide details.
On the other hand, the military man, who has served for 45 years, thanked the Executive Branch for having “considered him to occupy this position.”
