Originally from Veracruz, Mexico, Brigadier General Ramón Guardado Sánchez never imagined that one day he would be selected to command a UN peacekeeping operation in the shadows of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains, half a world away from his country. .
General Guardado Sánchez affirmed that he is prepared for the tasks that await him with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
“It is an honor to take on this role and contribute to one of the United Nations peacekeeping missions,” said Guardado Sánchez.
On December 23, the Mexican soldier began his work as Head of Mission and Chief of Military Observers of UNMOGIP.
Established in 1948, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan is one of the oldest UN peace operations, with the mandate to monitor the ceasefire between those countries along the Line of Control in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.
General Guardado Sánchez is well aware of the complexity and history of the mission, but is “ready to take on the challenge,” following in the footsteps of other Mexican officers who have served under the UN flag.
“This position is not only a personal achievement, it is also a reflection of my country’s dedication to maintaining peace. “I am proud to represent both Mexico and the UN at this crucial moment for UN peacekeeping,” he noted.
Guardado Sánchez will make history as the first UN Forces commander from Mexico, whose contributions to peacekeeping began in 1992 with the UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL).
Today, 20 uniformed personnel (including nine women) are deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, serving in Western Sahara, the Central African Republic, India/Pakistan, and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia.
Ramón Guardado Sánchez has had a long and distinguished career in the Mexican Army, most recently serving as Commissioner of the National Guard in Yucatán. Previously, among other roles, he was commander of the Joint Peace Operations Training Center in Mexico and served in the UN Verification Mission in Colombia as regional chief of observers.
“I believe in the power of peacekeeping to make a difference. “My experiences will guide my efforts to support lasting peace in this region,” he declared.
His credentials include a bachelor’s degree in Military Administration from the Escuela Superior de Guerra and a Master’s Degree in National Security from the Centro de Estudios Superiores Navales de México, in addition to studies abroad.
Guardado Sánchez will replace Rear Admiral Guillermo Pablo Ríos of Argentina.
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