Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez Suarez

Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez (born July 6, 1972) is a Colombian academic, business administrator, politician, and former Colombian Aerospace Force officer who served as Minister of National Defense from March 2025 to August 2026.

Born in Boavita, Boyacá. He studied business administration at the EAN Business and Administration School and earned a Master's degree in Strategic Thinking and Prospective from the Universidad Externado de Colombia.

Later in January 2025, he would be appointed by President Gustavo Petro as Head of Security of the Casa de Nariño and later in March 2025 as Minister of National Defense, becoming the first military officer appointed to the position in 34 years since Óscar Botero in 1991.

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. He was the first retired military officer to serve as Minister of National Defense in 34 years.