Ecuador now more than ever needs a highly professional and strictly hierarchical armed force, with strong discipline; Its high command must be appointed from among the most distinguished officers, with strict adherence to military laws and regulations.

The Constitution and military laws establish that the President of the Republic has the authority to appoint military commanders (head of the Joint Command and commanders of forces) and to sign decrees on promotions to general officers; There should be no room for cronyism, cronyism or sympathy here; worse affinity towards the political plans of the government in power; Yes, the head of state has the responsibility to oblige the FF. AA. and their commanders must be faithful to their missions established in the Constitution and stay completely away from political activities.

The current Organic Law on National Defense establishes that the head of the Joint Command FF. AA. He must be appointed through a shortlist of the highest officers of the FF. AA., the head of state has the power to choose one of them; The same procedure applies for the appointment of the commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force, from among the three highest-ranking general officers of each branch.

The aforementioned law established that after the appointment, the head of the Joint Command and the commanders of the forces must remain in office for two years and must cease from office for the following reasons, among others: due to the expiration of the term by which they were appointed by death, voluntary resignation from active service, appointment to the head of the Joint by the command of the Armed Forces and by the decision of the President of the Republic.

Montecristi’s Constitution does not contain the provision that “the Armed Forces are obliged to the state”…

The last cause is very dangerous, since it is left to the will or abuse of the president, which threatens administrative stability and institutional trust, this cause should be eliminated. In Chile, where they have one of the most professional armed forces on the continent, commanders serve four years, regardless of whether there is a change of government, what ideology or political party the new ruler is, FF. AA. They are indebted to the state, to their people, and are not aligned with the political project of the government in power, but are subordinated to its authority. Montecristi’s Constitution does not contain the provision that “The Armed Forces belong to the State”, Correa’s government simply deleted it, it must have had other ulterior purposes.

It is necessary that the President of the Republic, “the highest authority of the Armed Forces”, only on the basis of military laws and regulations, consolidate a solid hierarchy in the military institution, support it and convince every worthy professional that he will achieve everything. ranks and functions in his career only with the help of serious professionalism.

The head of state must appoint the minister of defense, it is his exclusive authority, he can be a man or a woman, a soldier or a civilian, without political pressure or unscrupulous achievements, it is important that the patriot is loyal to the noble goals of the homeland. (OR)