The Ministry of Defense has initiated proceedings to suspend from duties the captain who led the exercise in which two soldiers died on December 21st, when they were crossing a man-made lake in the Cerro Muriano base in Córdoba, according to sources from the department. The Military Career Law of 2007 allows for the suspension of duties of members of the Armed Forces “as a result of being charged, accused, or subjected to precautionary measures in a criminal procedure or due to the initiation of a disciplinary procedure for a very serious offense.” The imposition of this measure, which had already been requested by the families of the deceased, falls under the responsibility of the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, and can last a maximum of six months. The Army had already removed the captain from command of the company immediately after the accident, but he was not suspended from his duties, so he continued to go to the headquarters and perform command tasks. When he is suspended from his duties, he will stop doing so, although he will not lose his position, as the suspension of employment is only provided for in case of conviction or a firm disciplinary sanction.
The captain testified last Friday as a suspect before the military court judge in Seville, who has charged him with a crime against the efficiency of the service resulting in death. The officer defended the execution of the exercise, despite the intense cold and the lack of safety measures, and stated that he still does not understand what happened and why a corporal and a soldier drowned and several others suffered hypothermia. The lieutenant took a similar defensive stance, considering it normal for around 15 soldiers to carry overloaded backpacks with weights of 3.5 kilos and argued that if not all carried them, it was because there were not enough available. On the other hand, the sergeant, the third of the accused superiors, stated that it was a punishment imposed on the company by the lieutenant and admitted that the exercise should have been cancelled as the conditions were not suitable for its completion.
The incident has raised questions regarding safety protocols and the responsibility of commanding officers in ensuring the well-being of their subordinates during training exercises. The families of the deceased have been calling for justice and accountability in the handling of the situation. The suspension of the captain from his duties is seen as a step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring that proper measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with all those involved being questioned and the circumstances surrounding the accident being thoroughly examined.
The tragedy has had a profound impact on the military community and has highlighted the risks involved in training exercises, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all personnel during military operations has been underscored, leading to a reassessment of procedures and protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring again. The Ministry of Defense’s decision to suspend the captain from his duties serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and adherence to safety regulations within the Armed Forces. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken will be closely monitored by the public and the military community to ensure that justice is served and lessons are learned from this tragic event.
