Brigadier General Samuel Salinas Valencia assumed command of the Third Division of the Colombian Army on 2026-04-12 during a transfer ceremony in the Canton Militar Pichincha in Cali. ^[1] Salinas Valencia sent a direct message to illegal armed groups operating in the southwest of Colombia, warning them that the military is prepared and deployed across the territory. ^[2] Salinas Valencia replaced Brigadier General Javier Hernando Africano López, who is now assigned to lead military operations in the southwestern region of Colombia. ^[3] The Army stated that Salinas Valencia's main challenges include maintaining pressure on illegal structures and strengthening security conditions in the Colombian Pacific. ^[4] The command transfer ceremony was held at the Pichincha Military Canton and presided over by Major General José Bertulfo Soto, the Commander of the Colombian National Army. ^[5] General Javier Hernando Africano López held the position of commander of the Third Army Division from August 2025 to August 2026 before being succeeded by Salinas Valencia. ^[6] Illegal armed structures maintain a presence and territorial disputes in the region, especially in the Cauca department, where military operations have focused on the Micay Canyon, Argelia, and El Plateado. ^[7] During his career, Salinas Valencia commanded the 24th Counter-Guerrilla Battalion, the 6th High Mountain Battalion, the 14th Brigade, and the 18th Brigade in Arauca. ^[8]