Colombian National Army

Colombian National Army
source
Unit name	Colombian National Army
Native name	Ejército Nacional de Colombia
Caption	Flag of the Colombian National Army
Dates	19 August 1819 – present
Country	Colombia
Branch	Army
Type	Land warfare
Role	National defense, internal security
Size	~235,000 active personnel
Command structure	Military Forces of Colombia
Garrison	General Command, Bogotá
Patron	Simón Bolívar
Motto	Patria, Honor, Lealtad (Homeland, Honor, Loyalty)
Colors	Red, blue, yellow
Anniversaries	7 August (Battle of Boyacá)
Commander1	Gustavo Petro
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	General Luis Mauricio Ospina Gutiérrez
Commander2 label	Commanding General

Colombian National Army. It is the largest and oldest service within the Military Forces of Colombia, tracing its institutional origins to the revolutionary forces led by Simón Bolívar during the Spanish American wars of independence. The Army's primary missions include defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order, while also playing a key role in counterinsurgency and counter-narcotics operations. It operates under the civilian authority of the President as Commander-in-Chief and the Ministry of National Defense.

History

The Army's foundational moment was the triumph at the Battle of Boyacá in 1819, which secured the independence of New Granada. Throughout the 19th century, it was central to numerous Colombian Civil Wars, including the War of the Supremes and the Thousand Days' War. The 20th century saw its involvement in the Colombia–Peru War and a period known as La Violencia. Since the mid-1960s, its history has been defined by the protracted internal conflict against left-wing guerrillas like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the National Liberation Army, right-wing paramilitaries such as the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, and powerful drug cartels including the Medellín Cartel and Cali Cartel.

Organization

The Army is divided into eight major divisional commands, each with jurisdiction over specific geographic regions: the First Division in Santa Marta, Second Division in Bucaramanga, Third Division in Cali, Fourth Division in Villavicencio, Fifth Division in Bogotá, Sixth Division in Florencia, Seventh Division in Medellín, and Eighth Division in Yopal. Its combat arms include the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Engineers, and Communications branches. Specialized commands include the Air Assault Aviation Division, the Urban Counter-Terrorism Special Forces Group, and the Joint Task Force Omega.

Personnel and training

Personnel consist of professional soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers trained at institutions like the Military Academy of Cadets General José María Córdova and the Non-Commissioned Officers School of Colombia. Training emphasizes jungle warfare, counterinsurgency, and human rights law, often with international cooperation from the United States Armed Forces through initiatives like Plan Colombia and the United Nations. Elite units, such as the Lanceros and the Afayuuc jungle commandos, undergo particularly rigorous selection and instruction.

Equipment

The Army's inventory includes a mix of imported and domestically produced systems. Its armored fleet features the EE-9 Cascavel and M8 Greyhound for reconnaissance, and the M113 armored personnel carrier. Infantry weapons range from the Galil and IMI Tavor rifles to M60 machine guns and MILAN anti-tank missiles. Artillery support is provided by M101 howitzers and Mortaier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1 pieces. Aviation assets, operated by the Colombian Aerospace Force in support of ground units, include UH-60 Black Hawk, Bell 205, and Cessna 208 aircraft.

Operations and conflicts

Beyond the internal conflict, the Army has participated in international peacekeeping under the United Nations in missions like those in the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt. Key domestic operations include the Operation Jaque rescue mission, the Operation Fenix raid on a Raúl Reyes camp in Ecuador, and the sustained campaign Operation Heroes of Liberty. It has also been integral to efforts against illegal mining and the protection of critical infrastructure like the Cano Limón–Coveñas pipeline.

Role in society

The Army engages in numerous civic-action programs, including disaster relief through the Colombian Red Cross, engineering projects in remote areas, and environmental protection initiatives in regions like the Amazon rainforest. It supports state institutions like the National Police of Colombia and the Attorney General of Colombia in law enforcement operations. While historically influential, its role is constitutionally subordinate to civilian power, operating within a framework established by the Congress of Colombia and overseen by entities like the Inspector General of Colombia.