The appointed Defense Minister, Iván Velásquez Gómez, He assured that the departure of the National Police from that entity is already a decision made.
In an interview with Revista Cambio, the official explained that the National Police will pass under the control of the future Ministry of PeaceCoexistence and Security, which will be created in the new government that starts on August 7th.
“There is no need to worry about these changes, taking into account that civility will be gainedin respect for the rule of law, in building a Police as stated in the Political Constitution, for coexistence and to guarantee the enjoyment of fundamental rights and guarantees,” he said.
He explained that This change means that the Police will have as a fundamental reason for their actions, the guarantee of Human Rights, civil liberties and coexistence.
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Relationship with the public force
The appointed Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, assured that the military and police forces can rest assured that this is not going to be a government of revenge, “nor persecution or hatred.”
“We are not going to be a permissive government either., you can rest assured that there will be no action aimed at developing a ‘witch hunt’ or actions that seek to injure the military forces, since that is not the purpose of this government,” he said.
Future of Esmad
Velásquez assured that once the new government of the elected president, Gustavo Petro, begins, the continuity of the Mobile Anti-riot Squad of the National Police (Esmad) and remembered that there have been expressions in the public discussion regarding the elimination or reforms of that police force, while adding that it cannot continue to function in the same way.
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In that sense, maintained that all members of the public force they can rest assured that they will not lose the benefits they acquired over the years, given the risks of the security work they carry out in the country.
“On the contrary, President Petro has stated that he wants there to be benefits for police and soldiers. That they can be in a situation of well-being, have guarantees of health, education, housing and at least ensure that there will be no reduction in their benefits,” he said.
What is total peace?
The designated Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, indicated that the ‘total peace’ proposed by the elected president, Gustavo Petro, implies the possibility that all illegal armed organizations that commit crimes in Colombia disarm and enter into a process according to the nature of each of them.
“A process of acceptance of the application of the law and its effective application and that leads to the dismantling of these organizations,” he concluded.
