El Nacional newspaper said yesterday that the assignments of all of high ranking military officers will have to be changed this coming Thursday, having had served two years in their posts, according to the Organic Law of the Armed the Forces. This law, Law 139-13, states in Article 33 that officers will remain it in their duties for a maximum of two years. The law also instructs the president to appoint a chief of staff of the Armed Forces as well as commanding generals of the different branches and the Inspector General of the Armed Forces, and these will be chosen among the generals and admirals currently in command positions as long as they have complied with the law with regards to time served in order to be considered for these top positions.
The Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ruben Paulino Sem, was appointed on 16 August 2016 and his term will end on Thursday, that commemorates the 155th anniversary of the War of Restoration.
The current commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force will all be relieved of their commands. Curiously enough, the head of the National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) will also be replaced, as will be the commanding officer of the Presidential Guard.
13 August 2018
