“The Colonels”: The new historical work that rescues military institutionality in the Dominican Republic
Retired Vice Admiral Eurípides Uribe Peguero formally presented his book titled “The Colonels,” a literary piece that delves into decisive chapters of Dominican history. The work highlights the actions of various groups of Armed Forces officers who, at critical moments, prioritized the defense of the Constitution and the country’s democratic order.
A journey through national history
During the launch, Uribe Peguero explained that the text highlights the trajectory of military personnel who marked a before and after in national stability. Among the highlighted episodes are:
- The “pilot colonels” rebellion in 1961, a key movement for the transition after the end of the Rafael Leónidas Trujillo dictatorship.
- The action of January 1962, when a group of officers managed to capture General Rodríguez Echavarría, allowing for the liberation of the Council of State and paving the way toward the first democratic elections.
- The role of iconic figures of April 1965 such as Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó, Fernández Domínguez, Hernando Ramírez, and Montás Guerrero, who united in favor of constitutional sovereignty.
- The events of 1990, where officers organized to safeguard institutional integrity in the face of electoral fraud allegations of that era.
We must also highlight those who did it well. It is necessary to rescue the memory of those officers who acted in a positive way, as their contributions have remained less present in the historical narrative.
Eurípides Uribe Peguero, author of “Los Coroneles”.
Debate on the military vote and military values
During the presentation, the retired vice admiral addressed current issues, including the possibility of members of the Armed Forces and the National Police exercising their right to vote. Uribe Peguero expressed his support for the military vote, clearly distinguishing it from partisan political participation.
The author emphasized that allowing the vote should not translate into the incursion of partisan politics within the barracks, citing as an example other nations where the right to suffrage is exercised without affecting military discipline. Likewise, he reiterated that the profile of a modern officer must be grounded in solid ethical principles, courage, intellectual preparation, and an unwavering patriotic sentiment.
“The Colonels” consolidates itself as a valuable exercise in historical memory, offering a necessary perspective on those military figures who, under different circumstances, became guardians of Dominican institutionality.
