The permanent lesson of pride of the Mexican Army encourages us to continue building a country of institutions: EPN
· At all times and in all circumstances, our soldiers have it answered the call of the nation with diligence, courage and efficiency, he said.
· He thanked General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, Minister of National Defense, for his vision, leadership, commitment and professionalism as the head of this valuable, emblematic institution of our country.
· He led the commemoration of the 103th anniversary of the Mexican Army, during which he inaugurated various military installations designed to cut off criminal groups that still threaten the peace of mind and assets of the families living in the Northeast of the country.
· The Mexican Army is an example of institutionalism and loyalty in America and around the world, proud of its past and of being a pillar in its present of the protection of sovereignty and domestic security: General Cienfuegos Zepeda.
President Enrique Peña Nieto said today that the permanent lesson of pride, courage and dignity of the Mexican Army, “Encourages us to continue advancing the construction of a country of laws and institutions, rights and freedoms.”
As he led the commemoration of the 103rd anniversary of the Mexican Army, the president stressed that, “At all times and in all circumstances, our soldiers have answered the call of the nation diligently, bravely and efficiently.”
During the event, President Peña Nieto also inaugurated the Seventh Military Zone Barracks and the Fourth Military Police Brigade. He simultaneously inaugurated the Temamatla 2 Military Housing Unit in the State of Mexico; the Mexicali 4 Housing Unit in Baja California; the El Vergel Zone Military Hospital in Iztapalapa, Mexico City; and the Expansion of the Service and Construction Platform of a TC6 Aircraft Hangar at the Military School of Aerotactical Aviation of the Air Force at Military Air Base 11, Santa Gertrudis, in the state of Chihuahua.
The president thanked and congratulated, “The military officers working to guarantee the peace and tranquility of the population and ensure respect for human rights.”
In particular, he thanked General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, Minister of National Defense, for his vision, leadership, commitment and professionalism as the head of this valuable, emblematic institution of our country.”
He said that, “As a nation and as a society, Mexicans are deeply grateful to the members of our Armed Forces."
Therefore, he said, “Since the beginning of my administration we have worked to improve their quality of life and that of their loved ones. To this end, 24 housing units have been built for the benefit of over 1,500 families, and nearly 7,500 housing loans have been granted. Moreover, during this school year alone, over 30,000 scholarships were awarded to the children of military personnel to enable them to continue and complete their studies.
“Thus, through concrete actions, Mexico is grateful to and supports those who serve the country every day with honor, loyalty and commitment,” he said.
During this visit to the state of Nuevo León, “The president confirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare and progress of all the people of this state.”
“Since the start of my administration, we have contributed to the conditions of law and order required by the population of Nuevo León and will continue to do so,” he declared.
He explained that the facilities delivered today, “Reflect this ongoing commitment. In response to situations like the one that occurred a few days ago at Topo Chico prison, the government will continue to work in coordination with the state authoritieswhich to drive the fundamental changes required by the National Penitentiary System.”
He added that this confirms the importance of the agreements made in the National Public Security Council, in August 2015, such as the following:
· Create a National Penitentiary System Evaluation Committee, with broad powers to redefine the methods of measurement, monitoring and certification. This mechanism has already been installed and meets periodically.
· Consolidate the National Prison Register Information, which is already 90% complete.
· Conduct a thorough review of the social reintegration model at federal and state prisons, and establish a Professional Penitentiary Development System.
· Update and standardize the protocols and processes of the National Penitentiary System, based on international best practices.
President Peña Nieto said that the important thing now, “Is to translate each and every one of these agreements into reality.”
“In Nuevo León, in the Northeast and across the country, we will continue acting responsibly to provide a comprehensive, long-term response to Mexicans’ legitimate demand for security,” he declared.
To that end, he continued, “We must achieve a sweeping institutional transformation to move towards a new policing model, with local security corporations that are professional, reliable and effective. We will also continue to support the implementation of the new adversarial criminal justice system, which should be fully operational by mid-year.”
The president declared that strengthening institutions is essential to creating the conditions of order and legality citizens require and demand. “The best example of this is precisely the evolution of our army, an institution that has demonstrated its vocation for service to Mexico,” he said.
He said that in order to support the Mexican Army, “The government has been working to expand and build its capacities: this administration has built seven Ministry of National Defense barracks in various parts of the country, and four more are in the process of construction.”
“This extends the presence and strengthens the operational and logistical capacity of the Mexican Army, particularly in the areas where it is most needed,” he said.
He said that this, “Includes the new facilities of this Seventh Military Zone, by which I mean the construction of its Barracks and the Military Housing Unit. He also highlighted the new headquarters of the Fourth Military Police Brigade that we have now placed in the service of the northeast of the country.
A distinctive feature of these facilities is that they are the result of a joint commitment to society and government for the benefit of security and the rule of law,” he said. He explained that the authorities of various states, the government and the private sector, provided resources and joined forces to build them.
Thanks to this joint effort, he declared, “We now have a modern complex with the infrastructure, technology, equipment and weapons required by the army to perform the missions with which it has been entrusted in this part of the country. Our aim is clear: to block the criminal groups that still threaten the peace of mind and assets of the families living in this dynamic region of the country.”
“Specifically this Military Police Brigade will support the authorities in Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí and Tamaulipas in meeting their responsibility as regards public safety,” he said.
He said that, as he has said in the past, “The armed forces are supporting the civil authorities while they strengthen and consolidate their own police forces.”
Before the event, the president toured several of the facilities opened today. He was given explanations about the flight material of Air Squadron 108, and visited the Military Housing Unit, where he socialized with the families of members of the Mexican Army.
THE ARMY IS AN INSTITUTION OF SOLID PRINCIPLES RATHER THAN AMBITIONS OR CLAIMS: GENERAL SALVADOR CIENFUEGOS
General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, Secretary of Defense, defined the Mexican Army as an, “Institution of sound principles, and noble aspirations rather than ambitions or claims. Of reliable facts, not grandstanding. “
He said it is an, “Army for legality, which defends legality, demands legality and ensures that its behavior is bound by the law.” An army that always acts responsibly and is determined to serve society and its authorities throughout the country honorably.”
He added that it is an example of institutionalism and loyalty in America and around the world, proud of its past and of being a pillar in its present of the protection of sovereignty and domestic security.
He recalled that 103 years ago, a handful of brave, exemplary Mexicans said no to lawlessness, conspiracy and treason.
Therefore, he said that, “All active-duty or retired military men have the legal and moral duty to follow suit,” and warned that, “Anyone who strays from these precepts, or is involved in the commission of crimes that threaten state security, compliance with the rules or people’s fundamental rights, will, in strict accordance with the law, be called to answer for their conduct in the federal, common or military jurisdictions.”
Regarding the Fourth Military Police Brigade facilities, inaugurated today by President Peña Nieto, he declared that they are, "Palpable proof of the unprecedented, growing civil-military relations that have exist today between government, society, business and the armed forces.”
He noted that, “This is even more important because it is the first time a Military Police unit of this magnitude has been established outside the Valley of Mexico, outside the strategic heart of the country, to contribute to the security efforts in the region.”
WE HAVE CONFIRMED THE CLOSE COORDINATION WITH THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES THROUGH ACTIONS: JAIME RODRIGUEZ CALDERÓN
Governor of Nuevo León, Jaime Rodríguez Calderón said that the inauguration of the Fourth Military Police Brigade Facilities, “Effectively confirms the close coordination that should exist between federal and local authorities.”
He noted that, “We experienced difficult moments in the fight against criminals, which is why we did not hesitate to work with you, Mr. President, and your Cabinet to strengthen institutions and advance in the fight against what does the greatest harm in order to make the law prevail and allow people to regain their confidence and tranquility.”
He declared that the public work inaugurated today is designed to boost the capacity for response of the Army and Air Force, by creating units, offices and facilities to ensure peace and stability in the region.
As a result, he said, in addition to Nuevo León, the new Military Police Unit will provide coverage for Coahuila, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, states, which he thanked for their collaboration, since they also contributed to the public work, and explained that, because of its location, it will permit the immediate deployment of operational staff in emergency situations, thereby streamlining any operations undertaken.
He said that the Government of Nuevo León is reaching out to the armed forces and, in doing so, assumes a commitment to society, security, the law and peace.
MEMBERS OF THE 4TH BRIGADE PROVIDED WITH THE MEANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO PRESERVING CITIZENS’ SAFETY : GENERAL PATIÑO CANCHOLA
General Miguel Patiño Canchola, commander of the Fourth Military Region, said that the Fourth Military Police Brigade now has the infrastructure to accommodate military police men and women, and equip them with the means to contribute effectively and decisively, with the three levels of government, to preserving public safety and providing assistance in the event of need or disaster.
He said that the large public work has state of the art facilities for training activities, administration and accommodation, required in this type of units, “To fulfill our missions in the best possible conditions.”
He stressed that, “In defining moments of national transformation, such as those of the present, marines, soldiers and pilots are proud that projects of this scope are being completed,” adding that they have features that distinguish Mexicans: collaboration, determination and commitment.
He said that, “Thanks to these social values, which are evident here today, soldiers from the Fourth Military Police Brigade are officially arriving in this part of the country, prepared, equipped and trained to fulfil, without hesitation, each of the missions assigned to them.”