Ten military leaders dismissed in one year; some after giving their opinion

The dismissal of General Luis Castro from the army leadership is the fourth change within the command of the Armed Forces (FF.AA.) in the last year.

It is the first of 2017 and only reaches the terrestrial branch. The three changes of 2016 concern the naval and the air branches, and the Joint Command of the Armed Forces.

These departures, all arranged by President Rafael Correa are translated in the dismissal of ten military chiefs and several junior officers.

Correa put an end to Castro’s appointment last Sunday, by Executive Decree, after the military officer had requested the Joint Command to analyze the participation of the Armed Forces in the past elections.

A day later, on Monday, the president dismissed the successor of Castro and named Edison Narvaez in the leadership of the Army.

In December 2016, the head of state removed the heads of the Joint Command, Air and Naval Forces.

February 5, 2016

In the morning, the military leadership offers a press conference to support the Issfa and refuse the state´s decision to debit money from its account. In the afternoon, President Rafael Correa orders the resignation of all members of the leadership.

May 16, 2016

The navy chief, Angel Sarzosa, asks Defense Minister Ricardo Patiño that the President rectifies his statements, under the provisions of the Organic Law of Communication.

June 22, 2016

Correa dismisses Sarzosa and appoints a new Navy chief.

December 9, 2016

The president dismisses the heads of the Joint Command and the Air and Marine Forces and appoints new officers in those positions.

September 30, 2016

Army commander Luis Castro asks government legislator Virgilio Hernandez not to make “reckless accusations” on troop personnel and officers.

February 20, 2017

Castro would have addressed a letter to the Joint Command of the Armed Forces to pronounce on the elections.