Ecuador will have a 47% reduction of its military posts by the year 2017

On Wednesday, the defense minister, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, presented the press with the “new operational design” of the Armed Forces including the relocation of military points, the progressive reduction in manpower and equipment procurement in order to “optimize” resources.

Espinosa announced a reduction of 47% of their military posts until 2017, but said that they will keep the units in the troubled border with Colombia, which totals 11,000 soldiers. “We made an analysis of the possible scenarios. The information we have is encouraging, but it does not mean that the same day that peace is signed in Colombia we have to withdraw our forces from the border,” Espinosa said.

Ecuador, which until 1995 fought several wars with Peru over border problems, currently has 561 military positions, including barracks, bases and battalions and other structures. Of this total, only 297 positions will remain, which involves relocating or removing 264 by the year 2017, the official explained.

The operational reorganization will not affect the security of the State or reduce the responsiveness of the troops and, on the contrary, will free up to 600 acres for public works, said the minister. “Many of the free spaces will be urban parks, service areas for the citizenship and those that remain in rural areas are to be converted into conservation areas,” said Espinosa.

Ecuadorian soldiers will keep guarding the border with Colombia.