For information only - not an official document

UNIS/BIO/926
13 October 2010

New Permanent Representative of Colombia
Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 13 October (UN Information Service) - The new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Colombia, Freddy Padilla de Léon, presented his credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov.

Mr. Padilla has served in various capacities in the course of his career with the Columbian Military Forces, among them: Commander of the 20th Brigade (1993-1995), 7th Brigade (1998) and 2nd Brigade (1998-2000); Commander of the 5th Division (2001-2002); Head of Army Operations (2002); Army Inspector General (2002-2003); Joint Chief of Staff (2003-2010); Commanding General (2006-2010).

Mr. Padilla holds a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's Degree in Political Studies from Pontifical Javeriana University, as well as a Master's Degree in Security and National Defense from the Superior War School.

During his career he specialized in strategic intelligence, terrorism studies, geopolitics and military geography.

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