Peru's New Armed Forces Chief Takes Office, Military Chiefs DismissedPeruvian Army General Carlos Tafur took over from retiring General Walter Chacon on November 26 to become president of the joint command of Peru's armed forces and commanding general of the army.In his inaugural speech at a ceremony held at Marshal Caceres Square in San Borja Barracks and presided over by new Defense Minister Walter Ledesman, General Tafur said the armed forces should not stand idly by in face of a national crisis and should instead make up their mind when the necessity arises. The armed forces should also be redeployed in accordance with the needs of national defense, the general added.. General Chacon noted that the armed forces kept calm and responded appropriately during the recent political turmoil in the country where there was a change of the president and government, thus making their contributions to the stability of Peru. Peru's new President Valentin Paniagua announced the dismissal of 15 military chiefs Saturday, including General Chacon and Air Force Chief General Carlos Balarezo. All of the dismissed chiefs will have completed their 35-year term of service in the army by the end of this year. |
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