Official Statement

1. The retirement processes for officers, non-commissioned officers, and professional soldiers are neither arbitrary nor sudden. They are governed by the provisions of Decree-Laws 1790 and 1793 of 2000 and other applicable regulations. Furthermore, they are carried out through periodic evaluations, rigorous committees, and defined stages that guarantee due process, transparency, and fairness.

2. These processes also take into account factors such as length of service, performance, and institutional needs, in accordance with the military career plan.

3. The National Army is a pyramid-structured institution with limited slots at each rank, which implies a progressive and competitive system in which not everyone can be promoted to the next higher ranks; this is a natural characteristic of a military institution. 

4. In this context, adjustments to the personnel roster reflect a natural and planned renewal. It is important to note that the personnel included in recent retirement resolutions had already met the required length of service and were entitled to their retirement benefits, a discretionary authority granted by law. Article 103 of Decree 1790.

5. It is important to note that, just as some members complete their service in the institution, new generations of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers are constantly joining the ranks, strengthening the capabilities of the National Army and ensuring the continuity of service in defense of the country. In December 2025, 200 new officers were promoted, and this year 552 non-commissioned officers and 2,387 professional soldiers graduated. 

We call for restraint and responsibility in the dissemination of unsubstantiated information, which can create uncertainty among our military families and the public.