Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz in his first statements after assuming command of the National Police on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 spoke of his commitment to further depressing the country’s crime rates.
The director emphasized his firm commitment to protecting the nation’s best interests and stated that institutional reforms are already “tangible and perceptible”.
Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful highlighted during the swearing in ceremony that the new leadership inherits a strengthening security landscape, noting a significant reduction in the homicide rate to just 7.2 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Major General Cruz Cruz is not a newcomer to high-level strategy. Before this historic promotion, he served as the institution’s Inspector General since 2023, where he oversaw internal audits and disciplinary processes.
His extensive resume includes:
Academic Pedigree: An civil engineer with a Master’s in National Defense and Security.
International training: He has received specialized instruction in cutting-edge criminal investigation and crisis management from agencies in the United States, Israel, and Colombia.
Internal oversight: Previous roles as Inspector General, Director of Internal Affairs and Regional Director for the South have prepared him to handle the force’s internal and external challenges.
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Listin Diario
19 February 2026