Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Sánchez and the second or maternal family name is Suárez.

Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez (born July 6, 1972) is a Colombian academic, business administrator, politician, and former Colombian Aerospace Force officer who has served as Minister of National Defense since March 2025.^[1][2][3]

Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez
Sánchez in March 2025.
Minister of National Defense
Incumbent
Assumed office March 3, 2025
President	Gustavo Petro
Preceded by	Iván Velásquez Gómez
Head of Security at the Casa de Nariño
In office January 15, 2025 – March 3, 2025
President	Gustavo Petro
Preceded by	Carlos Feria
Succeeded by	Luis Bermúdez
Personal details
Born	Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez (1972-07-06) July 6, 1972 (age 53) Boavita, Boyacá, Colombia
Political party	Independent
Spouse	Carmen Alicia Mera ​ (m. 2006)​
Website	Official website
Military service
Branch/service	Colombian Air Force
Years of service	1993–2025
Rank	Major General
Unit	Air Combat Command No. 4 Air and Space Doctrine Center
Battles/wars	Colombian conflict
Awards	Cross of the Order of Boyacá Order of Military Merit Antonio Nariño

Life and career

Sánchez was born in Boavita, Boyacá, Colombia on July 6, 1972. In March 2025, President Gustavo Petro appointed him as Minister of National Defense, succeeding Iván Velásquez.^[4][5] He was the first retired military officer to serve as Minister of National Defense in 34 years.^[6][7][4]