This Friday, June 12, the graduation ceremony of the 163rd class of ladies and gentlemen of the Polytechnic School was held, which was headed by President Bernardo Arévalo and had the participation of authorities from the Ministry of National Defense, senior officers of the Army and authorities from the Polytechnic School.
From this promotion 25 gentlemen and two lady cadets graduated, who received the office of second lieutenant in the Infantry arm and in the Military Police and Transmission services. They also concluded their military and academic training studies with a bachelor’s degree in Technology and Resource Management.
In his speech, the president highlighted that the new officers join the armed institution and They are a fundamental part of the modernization process and the fight against organized crime currently being carried out in the Guatemalan Army.
“The officer of the present and the future cannot limit himself to traditional martial capabilities. He must know how to conduct operations with modern communication, surveillance, mobility, information analysis, intelligence, interoperability and command and control systems.”
Important part of the fight against drug trafficking
In his speech, the president also emphasized the importance of The Army has in the fight against drug trafficking structures and organized crime, where he highlighted that the new cadets also form an “integral part” of this fight, as well as the protection of the borders and sovereignty of the country, to prevent these structures from continuing to expand their operations.
“The State of Guatemala must respond to organized crime firmly, in a coordinated, legal and permanent manner. A response that protects our borders and our sovereignty, that protects our communities and that preserves the future that our youth deserve. You are an integral, indispensable part of that response starting today,” Arévalo stated.
Arévalo highlighted that the continuous preparation and The technological adaptation of new officers is essential so that they can face threats such as organized crime. He also emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking “is not an option, but an obligation” for the armed institution.
“Faced with this threat, the frontal fight against drug trafficking is a national priority. The State of Guatemala must respond to organized crime firmly, in a coordinated, legal and permanent manner,” he assured.
In that sense, the president was clear about the objectives that the Army and its new officers must carry out, which are the protection of borders to prevent the entry of drugs, weapons and illegal trafficking; the defense of sovereignty, in order to prevent organized crime from controlling the territories, and community protection, through security at the local level.