Ministry of Defense (Ministerio de Defensa Nacional)
The Ministry of Defense is responsible for the internal and external defense and security of Colombia. The ministry is comprised of the Army, Navy (including Coast Guard), Air Force, and National Police. Since 1991 a civilian has headed the defense ministry.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Colombian Armed Forces is, by law, the President (currently Alvaro Uribe). The Minister of Defense, however, is granted significant power in the day-to-day administrative and operational control of the armed forces.
Article 120 of the 1886 Constitution conferred upon the president of Colombia the responsibility of directing war operations as the Chief of the Republican Armies.
Under the President and Defense Minister is the Combined General Staff, which formulates and coordinates the activities of the three armed services and the National Police.
