The secretary general of United Nations, Antonio Guterreswill present this Friday a recognition to the Uruguayan sergeant Matías Facundo Reyes Peñalozamember of “Uruguay IV” Battalion deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congofor an action of exceptional valor carried out during armed confrontations that occurred at the beginning of 2025.
Reyes will receive the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Valorthe highest distinction awarded by the UN to its serving personnel. The recognition was created by the Security Council in 2014 and distinguishes acts of heroism carried out in situations of extreme dangerbeyond the call of duty, in fulfillment of peace missions.
Rescue of wounded in the midst of fighting
As reported by the National Army, the decoration responds to the events that occurred between January 25 and 27, 2025 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when members of the AFC/M23 rebel group attacked positions using artillery, mortars and drones.
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As a result of the clashes, around a thousand people – including civilians and unarmed members of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) – sought refuge in the facilities of the “Uruguay IV” Battalion.
In this context, many of the refugees arrived injured while the fighting continued in the surrounding area. According to the official statement, Sergeant Reyes carried 12 seriously injured people on his shoulders and evacuated them to safe areas within the Uruguayan base, exposing themselves to fire and combat conditions.
The ceremony was scheduled for the soldier to travel to the United Nations headquarters in New York. However, due to the current border closure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to the health alert linked to Ebola, the recognition will be received virtually.
Posthumous recognition of two Uruguayan blue helmets
During the same ceremony the Dag Hammarskjöld Medala posthumous recognition intended for blue helmets who died while carrying out peacekeeping missions.
On this occasion the first class soldier will be honored Rodolfo Cipriano Álvarez Suárezdied in combat on January 25, 2025, and Lance Corporal Julio César Álvarez Cáceres, who died on April 16 of that same year.
The ceremony can be followed live through this United Nations link.
