He Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchezwill temporarily leave office starting this Tuesday, July 14, to address personal issues that, as EL TIEMPO confirmed, had been scheduled for several months.
This newspaper learned that it is a procedure doctor who had already been coordinated with the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro. The absence would last for about 20 days, so his reinstatement would occur in the first days of August to accompany the government’s exit protocol.
With the medical disability expected for about 20 days, the official will not be present at the official events commemorating the Independence Day, next July 20. His absence will mark one of the novelties in this year’s celebration, which will also be marked by changes in the traditional military parade, scheduled this time to take place in the south of Bogotá.
Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Defense. Photo:Courtesy
Until this Monday, Sánchez will continue to head the Defense portfolio, in what will be his last day before stepping away from ministerial functions. a decision that, according to sources close to the official, It responds exclusively to health reasons and not to changes within the cabinet or political circumstances.
“Deb.“It would be to attend to a medical issue that cannot be postponed from July 14, and I would be excused for around 20 days.”“said a source, after consulting this newspaper, who added that the absence had been planned since last May and coordinated.”
Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Defense. Photo:Courtesy
The precision seeks to close any speculation about a possible early departure of the Government at a time when the Executive enters the final stage of its term.
In terms of the public agenda, technically the last official act of Minister Sánchez was recorded on Saturday during the ceremony of recognition of responsibility and request for forgiveness for the Bojayá massacre, which occurred more than two decades ago. There, representing the State, he led the event in which public excuses were offered to the victims for these events.
Two days before, On Thursday, Sánchez presented the accountability of his management at the head of the Ministry of Defense. In this balance he presented the main operational results achieved during his administration, provided figures on the evolution of public order and raised the challenges that, as he recognized, will remain for the next administration.
🚨 As revealed by this publishing house, the Minister of Defense, Pedro Sánchez, confirmed that he will temporarily step away from his duties starting July 14 to attend to personal matters. https://t.co/iwEXwJfsAf
— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) July 13, 2026
Pedro Sánchez, Minister of Defense. Photo:Courtesy
The institutional farewell began to take shape on Friday, during a meeting in the Plaza de los Héroes, in the CAN, attended by officials from the Ministry of Defense, members of the military and Police leadership, as well as members of the Military Forces.
In that scenario, he gave a speech addressed to the Public Force, in which he called for maintaining the commitment to the defense of the constitutional order during the transition between the current Government and the administration that will be headed by the elected president Abelardo de la Espriella.
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