Marco Vera was fired yesterday after their disagreements Army

Former army Commander Marco Vera (left), General Jorge Pena (right)

Yesterday the outgoing army commander, Marco Vera, made public the reasons for his resignation last week. The officer expressed his contempt with hundreds of soldiers, several ministers and special guests.

During his farewell speech, which coincided with the celebration of Army Day in the Eloy Alfaro Military School, he confirmed his disagreement with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, chaired by the head of the Joint Command, Leonardo Barreiro, by the promotion of three Army colonels to generals.

“I have submitted my volunteer availability on the Army ranks so that the competent authorities make the best decision regarding the resolution of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, on the appeal of three colonels in the promotion process prior to the rank of general.”

Vera’s departure came before the Supreme Council’s decision to qualify the promotion of colonels Nicolas Gortaire, José Luis Castillo and Oswaldo Moreno, despite the General Council, who on two occasions, denied his promotion last year.

However, for its part, the defense minister, Maria Fernanda Espinoza, said “it is unfortunate that some people are irresponsible and the media constantly generates false rumours” about the information which eventually caused the discomfort of the now former General Commander of the Army, which was confirmed in his farewell address.