Disaster Response and Prevention Engineering Brigade begins a new era of leadership in service to Colombia

The event was presided over by Colonel Luis Carlos Villalba, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Engineer Command. During the ceremony, Colonel Wilsón Eduardo Martínez Escobar handed over command after two years in office, a period during which the unit carried out more than 1,100 technical and operational interventions in 152 municipalities across 15 departments. Other notable achievements include the delivery of more than 22 million liters of drinking water, the extinguishing of 37 wildfires, the recovery of 23 bodies during search and rescue operations, and the distribution of 1,827 metric tons of humanitarian aid to communities affected by emergencies.

The outgoing officer emphasized that these achievements were made possible thanks to coordinated efforts with entities of the National System for Disaster Risk Management and the commitment of the rescue soldiers, who responded promptly to highly complex incidents. He also highlighted that the Brigade’s capabilities continue to be recognized internationally, as demonstrated by its participation in search-and-rescue operations following the recent earthquake in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, command was assumed by Colonel Diego Gómez Rodríguez, an officer with more than 28 years of service to the institution, who expressed his pride in taking over a well-established unit whose mission transcends the military sphere by focusing on the protection of life, the alleviation of human suffering, and ongoing service to the nation.

The new commander stated that his tenure will be focused on strengthening operational capabilities, technological modernization, specialized training, and coordinated efforts with national and international entities dedicated to risk management.

With this change in command, the National Army reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the country’s disaster response and prevention capabilities, consolidating a Brigade that, through military engineering, continues to save lives, bring hope to communities, and contribute to building a Colombia that is more resilient in the face of adversity.