The Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Peña, swore in this Saturday the new Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos A. Fernández Onofre, ERD, appointed in these functions by the President of the Republic, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, through Decree No. 445-24, replacing the outgoing Minister of Defense Lieutenant General (r) Carlos Luciano Díaz Morfa, ERD, who has been in the honorable position of retirement for seniority, with 47 years in the service.
In the protocol act of transfer of command, Raquel Peña highlighted the commitment and appreciation of the Dominican government towards the Armed Forces, in their constitutional mission for the security and defense of the Dominican people. She recognized “the commendable work performed by Díaz Morfa, of whom she highlighted his impeccability and responsibility in the exercise of his functions, in addition to the work developed for the benefit of the military institutions and their members”.
“Díaz Morfa enjoys the respect and personal appreciation of our President of the Republic and also of my person. We know and are very satisfied with the great work he has done. I also think that the Armed Forces have a great opportunity today to present projects and initiatives that can contribute to the development of the country we want, since they are highly valued institutions. In particular, I would like to tell you that I feel a deep respect for the uniform you wear”, said Raquel Peña.
She also said that “the appointment of Fernandez Onofre is a guarantee that everything that has been done in the Armed Forces has been a work of innovation and you will continue with this management of change; we also know about your commitment and loyalty to the Dominican homeland in your 40 years belonging to the ranks of the Army of the Dominican Republic”.
The incoming Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, in thanking the authorities for the opportunity to be appointed to this position, pledged to continue working for the strengthening of the Armed Forces and expressed, before the authorities present, his “satisfaction for the support and trust given by Díaz Morfa, thanks to which it was possible the success in his management from the Retirement Board and Pension Fund (August 2020-August 2022 period) and then, as Commander General of the Army (August 2022-August 2024 period)”.
In his words, the outgoing Minister of Defense thanked “God, the authorities, family members and especially the members of the Armed Forces who were under our command, whom I urge to continue serving selflessly, with sacrifice, honor and having clear responsibility for directing the designs of our military institutions.”
“To God I thank Him first, for the opportunities and giving me the necessary peace in my life. To my wife Wendy Santos de Diaz, whom I thank not only for being my life partner but also for her great and valuable contributions to achieve so many successes during this administration. To my parents who are in heaven, I also thank them because thanks to their example I can say today mission accomplished and, especially, to Mrs. Rosa Gómez Mejía, who together with President Hipólito Mejía, with great affection always, gave me their advice, guided and promoted our professional and military career.”
“I leave with the satisfaction of having fulfilled my duty, but especially of handing over this commitment to a general officer with whom I am united by 40 years of friendship and affection, with whom I am sure that he will do an excellent job and have a brilliant career as Minister of Defense”, said Diaz Morfa.
Also present with the new Minister of Defense were Major General Miguel Ángel Rubio Báez, Army, Vice Minister of Defense for Military Affairs; Major General Carlos R. Febrillet Rodríguez, FARD, Vice Minister of Defense for Air and Space Affairs; Vice Admiral Ramón Gustavo Betances Hernández, ARD, Vice Minister of Defense for Naval and Coastal Affairs; and Major General Delio Buenaventura Colón, ERD, appointed as Inspector General of the Armed Forces.
Also present at the ceremony were Major General Jorge Iván Caminero Pérez, ERD, General Commander of the Dominican Army; General Commander of the Dominican Navy, Vice Admiral Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, ARD; Major General Pilot Floreal Tarcicio Suárez Martínez, General Commander of the Dominican Air Force; and Major General Rafael Antonio Carrasco Paulino, ERD, military land, naval and air advisor to the Executive Branch.
Source:presidencia.gob.do
