General Julio César Avilés on the 47th Anniversary of the Army of Nicaragua

Central Event in Commemoration of the 47th Anniversary
of the Founding of the Army of Nicaragua

September 2nd 2026
 

Address by Army General Julio César Avilés Castillo

Commander-in-Chief of the Military Forces of the Nicaraguan Army, Comandante Daniel Ortega and Compañera Rosario Murillo, Co-Presidents of the Republic and Supreme Commanders of the Nicaraguan Army.

Dr. Gustavo Porras, President of the National Assembly.

Brothers of the General Command: Colonels Generals Bayardo Rodríguez, Chief of the General Staff and Marvin Corrales, Inspector General.

First Commissioner Francisco Díaz, Head of the Police Forces.

Rosa Adelina Barahona, Minister of Defense.

Members of State, Central Government and Mayoral Bodies.

Major General Spiro Bassi, Second Chief of the General Staff.

Brothers and Sisters of the Military Council and Officers present.

Brothers and Sisters in the honorable condition of Retirement.

Relatives of General Sandino.

Ambassadors, Defense Attachés and Heads of Military Missions accredited in our Country.

Block of Promoted Personnel and Representatives of the different Military Units.

Chiefs, Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, Civil Servants, Classes, Soldiers, Pilots, Sailors and Auxiliary Personnel.

Our greeting to the Brothers and Sisters in Arms who carry out Missions throughout our National Territory.

Beloved families of our Fallen Brothers and Sisters

Beloved families.

All those invited.

Friends from the Media.

Thank you for joining us.

Nicaraguans!

Brothers and Sisters in Arms!

All our Brothers and Sisters!

Today, with a high sense of patriotism, we commemorate the 47th Anniversary of the Founding of the Nicaraguan Army, the 47th Anniversary of the People's Army, the 47th Anniversary of this Army, born from the struggle that defeated Somocismo on July 19th 1979, with the triumph of the Sandinista Popular Revolution.

With this ceremony we honor Nicaragua’s Army in Defense of National Sovereignty, founded and commanded by the General of Generals of our Nation, General Sandino!

That Defense Army, founded on September 2nd 1927 and which for 7 years fought with Patriotism, Courage and Dignity until expelling the invading forces from our Nation in 1933.

The members of the Nicaraguan Army, children of this People in uniform, as loyal and worthy Heirs of the Defense Army and of its highest aspiration of a Patriotic Nation and Freedom, we continue, firmly committed to its Ideals, working day by day as Brothers and Sisters, to build the Nation we dream of.

And today we will inform our People and Authorities of the results of our institution’s work for the period from September 2025 to date.

 

 

The Constitution of the Republic mandates that the Nicaraguan Army is the Only Military Force in the Country, establishing as our main Mission: The defense of Peace, Sovereignty, Independence, Self-determination and the Integrity of the Territory, a Mission which we fulfill with a high sense of Patriotism, Loyal, Firm and Cohesive, always thinking of giving Everything for the Nation!

Our Soldiers, Sergeants and Officers of the Land Units guaranteed the protection of our state borders and patrolled wide areas of the national territory.

Our pilots ensured the protection and surveillance of our airspace.

And our Heroic sailors navigated our sovereign waters enforcing Nicaraguan law, standing out in fulfillment of the Mission “Peace and Sovereignty General Augusto César Sandino” in the Caribbean and the Missions Sovereignty North and South in both seas.

We exercised sovereignty over our San Juan River, in compliance with Presidential Decree 79/2009. And we contribute to making the Gulf of Fonseca a Zone of Peace, Sustainable Development and Security, in accordance with the Managua Declaration of October 2007.
Nicaraguans!

In the Nicaraguan Army we have a great commitment to the security of our People. For this reason, we make important contributions to the Security of the Country, convinced that Security is a National Good that benefits us all equally.

To have security, is to have stability, is to have tranquility and is to have Peace, necessary conditions for National Development. That is why the members of the Nicaraguan Army make every effort to ensure that our Nation is the safest country in the Region and one of the safest on the Continent, and we should all be proud of this.

We are the safest country in the region, because: We have no maras, no gangs. There are no clandestine runways. We are not a drug trafficking transit point. There are no cartels. There are no hired hitmen. There are no kidnappings and there are no cells or elements linked to terrorist organizations.

We are the safest country, because since the implementation of the State Strategy of the “Containment Wall”, the Nicaraguan Army deploys the largest number of forces and resources in the first ring of the country's Security; that is to say, in the immediate accesses to the National Territory, such as our land, maritime, airspace and coastal borders.

We are the safest country in the Region, because from our operations we ensure to divert annually more than 800 tons of drugs, which do not circulate through the National Territory, since the transfers from South to North pass by sea and air more than 500 miles away from our coasts, and all those who try to move drugs through our territory, are captured, their assets confiscated and their persons sentenced, in coordination with the National Police, the Attorney General's Office and the Judicial System, as established in our Laws.

We are the safest country in the Region, because, in coordination with different institutions and our Brothers and Sisters of the National Police, we guarantee that our ports and airports have high levels of security and are duly certified by International Organizations.

We are the safest country, because the crime figure in the country is 4.5 homicides per 100 thousand inhabitants.

The Nicaraguan Army, as a result of the operations carried out in the reporting period, has captured: 1,381 kilograms of Drugs, accumulating more than 199 thousand kilograms of seized drugs since 2000.

In the current period we have captured 80 narco-traffickers, 27 means of transport.; destroyed more than 62 thousand marijuana plants, and we detained more than 19 thousand 700 illegal migrants trying to enter through blind spots.

In support of our producers in the Rural Security Plan, in coordination with our Brothers and Sisters of the National Police, we contribute to ensure that they have the best security conditions for the development of their productive activities. The Rural Security Plan is highly valued by all producers and population in general.

During our fulfillment of the Rural Security Plan, we have retained and handed over to the corresponding authorities 1094 individuals linked to criminal activities; 111 weapons and more than 5500 rounds of ammunition were seized; we recovered and handed over to their owners more than 700 cattle avoiding great losses to ranchers, and we successfully guaranteed the coffee harvest of the 2025/2026 Cycle, providing security to more than 600 thousand workers and 50 thousand producers, who managed to harvest more than 3 million quintals of coffee. We escorted the transfer of cash in the sums of C$19,300 million, more than US$10 million and more than 697 thousand troy ounces of gold and silver.

Under the Rural Security Plan, the workers and producers are faithful witnesses that assaults, robberies, kidnappings, extortions and murders are a distant history in our rural areas and we say to all of them that we will always be by their side, so that, with Security, Stability, Tranquility and Peace, they continue to develop their dignified work for the benefit of their families and contributing to national development.

The members of the Nicaraguan Army are Children of the People in uniform, that's why we say that “We are the People themselves in uniform, working for their own benefit”, and consistent with this feeling, in disaster situations, we have our Forces and Resources to carry out search, rescue and recovery tasks, even at the risk of our lives.

And as regards the Civil Defense, the Humanitarian and Rescue Unit and the Detachments of our Troops, in the reporting period we have carried out 50 search and rescue Missions, rescuing alive 120 Nicaraguan Brothers and Sisters.

We also highlight our participation in 4 Multi-Threat Exercises organized by SINAPRED, and the 33 Specialized Exercises preparing ourselves in the best possible way to be able to help our People in different risk situations.

The Nicaraguan Army is a strategic resource of the Nation and without neglecting our main Mission, from the deepest feelings of Love for our People, we carry out tasks of support to the population.

In the reporting period we carried out: 197 Health Fairs in coordination with the MINSA; we cleaned and fumigated more than 190 thousand homes, benefiting more than 750,000 residents; 1,750 military personnel donated 870 liters of blood to our hospitals. With our Corps of Engineers, 406 kilometers of rural roads were repaired and built, benefiting more than 87,000 residents.

In the same way, we have supported the Ministry of Education in the loading and unloading of more than 2.5 million pounds of food stuffs for school lunches.

With these data we reaffirm to our People that we belong to them and that we are here to serve them always.

For the Nicaraguan Army, the protection of natural resources is a matter of National Security; therefore, with our Ecological Battalion and Detachments, and in coordination with MARENA, the Attorney General's Office, Local Authorities and our Brothers of the National Police, we continue to make contributions to the conservation of protected areas, and with discipline and dedication, we continue to participate in multiple Ecological Days, planting thousands upon thousands of trees and we have put out 581 forest fires.

"Working firmly for Defense, Security and Peace, we contribute to National Development."

Nicaraguans!

Expressing this feeling, all the Members of the Nicaraguan Army contribute so that our Patriotic Nation has the best conditions to work, produce and advance in the Nation’s development.

Thanks to the Strength of the People and to the dynamism of our Government and the different institutions, Nicaragua advances throughout our National Geography with great works. Great works that are possible because, thanks to the efforts of everyone, we have an economy in sustained growth, solid, stable and with a lot of strength. This allows the construction of Hospitals, Education Centers, Ports, Airports, Housing, Sports Infrastructure and Highways, among many works.

That is to say, that, today, under these conditions of Peace, the dreams of our Heroes and Martyrs are coming true. And to our People and Supreme Authorities we say that we will all always give the greatest of our efforts to contribute and defend these great advances so that our Nation will always be Free, Dignified, Just and Prosperous; and we will never allow, that anything, nor anyone, will take away from us what so much sweat, blood and sacrifice has cost this Heroic People.

Comandante, Compañera, Co-Presidents of the Republic and Supreme Commanders of the Nicaraguan Army, always count on everyone's firm determination to do everything we can to contribute to the efforts you make every day so that our beloved Nicaragua is always dignified, stronger, more beautiful and with the greatest possible well-being, especially for the most needy.

According to our Modernization and Development Plan in this period we have been advancing and adapting our capabilities in accordance with the evolution of threats and risks, and we continue to improve living and working conditions to continue dignifying the military life and career, according to the economic reality of the Country.

Today, due to the merits accumulated in the performance of their positions and fulfilling the parameters established in the Military Career, a total of 211 Brothers and Sisters in Arms are promoted.

Our congratulations to Brigadier General Jimmy Guevara; to the Colonels, Vicente Jirón, Oscar Torres, Miguel Sequeira, Julio Vargas, Ángel Potosme and Roberto Calderón.

Likewise, we congratulate the 34 Lieutenant Colonels, 49 Majors, 70 Captains, 51 First Lieutenants, and in a special way, we want to congratulate the 22 promoted Compañeras, Worthy Representatives of the Heroic Nicaraguan Women.

Ascended brothers and sisters, always remember to act in accordance with the meaning of our values, and remember that Military Ranks, including those of General, are symbols of Honor and of ever greater commitment to the Nation. Congratulations to everyone!

On this 47th Anniversary, on behalf of the General Command, I want to express to all our Brothers and Sisters in Arms, congratulations and well-deserved recognition, for the successful fulfillment of all the Missions and Tasks.

The recognition of our brave, heroic and worthy Soldiers, Pilots, Sailors, Sergeants, Officials, Sub-Officers, Auxiliary Personnel, Junior Officers, Senior Officers and the Corps of Generals. All of us, with a high sense of Patriotism, Dignity, Loyalty, Courage and Discipline, carry out our Missions and Tasks always thinking of giving: Everything for the Nation!

Our Ground Forces performed more than 1 million operational services; our Heroic Naval Force sailed more than 120 thousand miles, and traveled more than 298 thousand kilometers patrolling our coasts, and our Air Force performed 823 flight hours. These figures, along with others that we have released today, are clear evidence of the high patriotic awareness and the firm commitment to serve all Nicaraguans.

Likewise, today we want to offer well-deserved recognition to our Brothers and Sisters in Arms in the Honorable Condition of Retirement, for their firm contributions in defense of the Nation and their contribution to the foundation, development and modernization of this Army at the service of its People.

In this Act for the 47th Anniversary, we want to express, first of all, our deep gratitude to the People of Nicaragua, who nourish with their children this Institution that belongs to them and is there to serve them.

Our gratitude to Comandante Daniel Ortega and Compañera Rosario Murillo, Co-Presidents of the Republic and Supreme Commanders of the Nicaraguan Army, for their firm support to strengthen our capabilities, which allows us to fulfill our Missions and Tasks in the best possible way, for the benefit of all Nicaraguans. Thank you Comandante! Thank you Compañera!

Our gratitude also goes to the State bodies, institutions, sectors and organizations, with whom we cooperate to contribute to the development and well-being of the Nation.

Our gratitude for the historical relations of friendship and unconditional cooperation with the Armed Forces of friendly countries.

We are also grateful for the recognition plaques that have been given to us, the messages of greetings and congratulations.

And special thanks to our relatives, who understand and support us so that we always give the best of our efforts to serve the Nation.

Nicaraguans!

The struggle of our People to live with Independence, Sovereignty and Freedom has been long, patriotic and Heroic, and from this representation of Forces and Resources of the different components of the Nicaraguan Army, the People's Army, we are all committed to the firm and uncompromising defense of the Sacred Interests of the Nation.

Committed, to make the dreams of the Defense Army and General Sandino come true; committed, to make the dreams of our Heroes and Martyrs come true; committed, to make the dreams of our Fallen Brothers and Sisters come true.

That is why today, as always, we remember them and this day our Nation honors them, because they will always be an example of the People in their struggle for Dignity. And in their honor we ask for a minute of silence... (Thank you).

Nicaraguans!

In these times of aggression and interference, of traitorous positions and treacherous quislings, who seek to violate the inalienable Rights and Foundations of the Nicaraguan Nation, those of us who love our Nation with all our strength and energy must be united, loyal, firm and cohesive defending our Independence, Sovereignty, our Peace and, of course, our National Self-Determination, to follow our own destinies without foreign interference.

Nicaraguans!

Our General Sandino, upon defeating the US invasion, after 7 years of dignified and sacrificial struggle, told our people:

"Nicaraguan Brothers and Sisters, these momentous times are telling the world that Nicaraguans are capable of governing ourselves, like any Free People, and that we will be able to develop our activities and magnify this Nation which was subjected to harsh servitude for so many years.

It was my good fortune, General Sandino said, to achieve this freedom after a long and fierce struggle. Now, General Sandino said, I have brought peace, and from now on it depends only on Nicaraguans to maintain the Independence that has cost us so much blood and sacrifice.”

General Sandino!, in this Act for the 47th Anniversary of the Nicaraguan Army, the People's Army, we, your loyal and worthy heirs, are committed to the last breath of our lives, together with our People and Supreme Authorities, to make your dreams come true.

Therefore, today we reiterate, on behalf of all my Brothers and Sisters in Arms, on behalf of the Military Council, the Corps of Generals and the High Command, our firm support for the Reforms of our Constitution, to guarantee us the Right to always be Free, Sovereign, and Independent.

And in singing our Hymns and Rallying Cries, which we do with strength from our conscience and hearts, we say to the traitors, mercenaries, sell-out quislings, that here we are Soldiers of this Patriotic Nation, always loyal, firm, cohesive and unyielding... As our Heroes and Martyrs taught us!

As our National Heroes taught us! As our Generals taught us: Sandino, Estrada and Zeledón!

Honor and Glory to our Fallen Brothers and Sisters!
Honor and Glory!

Honor and Glory to our Heroes and Martyrs!
Honor and Glory!

Honor and Glory to our National Heroes!
Honor and Glory!

General José Dolores Estrada!
He fought for the Patriotic Nation!

General Benjamin Zeledon!
He fought for the Patriotic Nation!

General Augusto César Sandino!
He fought for the Patriotic Nation!

Long live the 47th Anniversary of the Nicaraguan Army!
Viva, Viva, Viva!

In fulfillment of our Missions and Tasks!

All for the Patriotic Nation!

In defense of the Nation and the Institution!

Firmness and Cohesion!

Long live the Nicaraguan Army!

Our Patriotic Nation and Freedom!