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| Presidential Guard (La Moneda) | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Presidential Guard (La Moneda) |
| Native name | Guardia Presidencial (La Moneda) |
| Country | Chile |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Honor Guard |
| Role | Presidential protection, ceremonial duties |
| Garrison | Palacio de La Moneda |
| March | Himno Nacional de Chile |
Presidential Guard (La Moneda) is the unit responsible for protection of the Palacio de La Moneda and for state ceremonial duties in Santiago. The formation traces roots to 19th-century presidential escorts that participated in key episodes involving figures such as Bernardo O'Higgins, Diego Portales, Arturo Alessandri, Pedro Aguirre Cerda, and Salvador Allende. The Guard operates alongside institutions including the Chilean Army, Palacio de La Moneda, Carabineros de Chile, Ministerio de Defensa Nacional (Chile), and the Presidencia de la República.
The antecedents of the unit date to escort detachments serving under leaders like Agustín de Eyzaguirre and Ramón Freire during post-independence conflicts such as the Cruzada Libertadora and the Chilean Civil War of 1829–1830. In the 19th century the unit evolved amid engagements involving the War of the Pacific, the Revolution of 1891, and figures including Manuel Baquedano and Diego Portales, adapting ceremonial roles after the construction of the Palacio de La Moneda and reforms by presidents such as José Manuel Balmaceda and Pedro Montt. In the 20th century the Presidential Guard participated in events tied to administrations of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo, Jorge Alessandri, Eduardo Frei Montalva, and to crises like the 1973 Chilean coup d'état involving Augusto Pinochet and Salvador Allende. Post-dictatorship reforms under Patricio Aylwin and later administrations including Ricardo Lagos and Michelle Bachelet reshaped doctrine and ceremonial protocol, reflecting interactions with counterpart units like the Regimiento Escolta Presidencial models seen in comparisons to Household Cavalry (United Kingdom), Fanfare Trumpets, and ambassadors from nations represented at Palacio de La Moneda events.
The Guard is organized within the Chilean Army command structure and coordinates with the Estado Mayor Conjunto and the Ministerio de Defensa Nacional (Chile). Subunits mirror traditional formations: an Honor Guard company influenced by models such as the Queen's Guard and the Republican Guard (France), a security detachment drawn from Infantería de Marina de Chile protocols, a mounted troop inspired by units like the Hussars of the Guard and liaison teams comparable to the United States Secret Service liaison practice. Leadership positions have been held by officers who trained at academies such as the Escuela Militar del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, the Academia de Guerra del Ejército, and attended courses at institutions like the United States Army War College and ESM partner schools. Administrative coordination involves the Dirección de Personal and logistics cells interacting with the Palacio de La Moneda administration and foreign missions such as the Embassy of the United States in Chile and other diplomatic posts.
Primary duties include static and mobile protection of Palacio de La Moneda, ceremonial guard mounting reminiscent of ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Changing of the Guard in other capitals, participation in state arrivals for heads of state including those from Argentina, Brazil, Spain, United Kingdom, France, United States, and involvement in national commemorations such as Fiestas Patrias (Chile), Día de las Glorias del Ejército (Chile), and memorials for events like the 1973 Chilean coup d'état. The Guard provides honor detachments at presidential inaugurations for presidents such as Gabriel Boric, Sebastián Piñera, Michelle Bachelet, and Ricardo Lagos, and supports ceremonies at monuments including the Monumento a los Héroes de la Concepción and Cementerio General de Santiago functions.
Uniform patterns integrate historic elements seen with uniforms associated with Bernardo O'Higgins era dress and 19th-century regulations influenced by European models such as the Prussian Army and French Army. Ceremonial tunics, shako-style headgear and aiguillettes reflect parallels with the Household Division (United Kingdom) and the Garde Républicaine, while rank insignia conform to Chilean military conventions comparable to those used in the Chilean Army officer corps and noncommissioned ranks seen in the Reglamento de Uniformes. Medals and decorations worn include Chilean awards like the Orden al Mérito Militar and campaign decorations historically linked to campaigns such as the War of the Pacific. Distinctive emblems for the unit incorporate motifs from the Coat of arms of Chile and symbols used at the Palacio de La Moneda.
The Guard has been present during pivotal episodes: protection and evacuation operations connected to the 1973 Chilean coup d'état and the final days of Salvador Allende at Palacio de La Moneda, security operations for international summits such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings and state visits by leaders like Barack Obama, Francisco Franco (historical visits context), Emperor Akihito, and Juan Perón-era analogs, participation in disaster response during events such as the 2010 Chile earthquake, and ceremonial roles at funerals for figures like Patricio Aylwin and Gabriel González Videla. The unit has also coordinated with international contingents from the United Nations stabilization missions for protocol exchanges and comparative studies with units such as the Swiss Guard and the Presidential Regiment (Russia).
Recruitment standards align with Chilean military personnel policies as set by the Ministerio de Defensa Nacional (Chile) and training pipelines involve the Escuela Militar del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, Escuela de Caballería, and staff colleges like the Academia de Guerra del Ejército. Curriculum covers close protection techniques comparable to United States Secret Service protocols, ceremonial drill influenced by Drill and Ceremonies (United States Army), crowd-control methods similar to Carabineros de Chile public order doctrine, and interoperability modules referencing NATO standards in international exchange programs. Language and protocol instruction prepare personnel for state visits by delegations from Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and broader diplomatic engagement.
Equipment includes small arms consistent with Chilean service patterns such as variants of the SIG Sauer and historically the FAMAE rifles, ceremonial swords and sabers paralleling patterns used by the United States Military Academy and European honor guards, and vehicles for VIP transport akin to those used by heads of state in Latin America. Facilities encompass barracks adjacent to Palacio de La Moneda, drill grounds used for rehearsals comparable to the Plaza de la Constitución (Santiago), armories regulated under the Reglamento de Armas, and training facilities with simulators and ranges reflecting standards of the Academia de Guerra del Ejército and multinational training exchanges with units from Argentina and Spain.
Category:Military units and formations of Chile Category:Guards regiments