Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum announced her picks for top military leaders Friday, naming General Ricardo Trevilla as defense minister and Admiral Raymundo Morales to lead the Navy.
These appointments are critical in Mexico, where the military has been expanded under outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to handle tasks like building major infrastructure projects, managing a state-owned bank, operating a commercial airline, and overseeing a new tourist train.
Sheinbaum expressed gratitude to outgoing Defense Chief General Luis Sandoval and Navy Secretary Jose Rafael Ojeda for their dedication. Her selections followed an “extensive” search for the best candidates, she said in a statement.
Trevilla, 63, is a native of Campeche state who has served for decades in various military posts. According to Sheinbaum’s announcement, Trevilla holds master’s degrees in military administration for internal security and national defense, as well as public administration. He previously worked in the southern border region in Chiapas.
Morales, 58, hails from Oaxaca state and has a background in naval affairs. His experience includes serving as chief of communications for the Mexican Navy’s general staff and working on the Interoceanic Corridor project, which aims to modernize the rail link between Mexico’s Pacific and Gulf coasts.
Sheinbaum is set to take office on October 1, marking the first time a woman will hold the presidency in Mexico. Trevilla and Morales are expected to play key roles in shaping the country’s defense and naval strategies under her leadership. The appointment of these two experienced military leaders comes after speculation about their potential nominations, with Trevilla’s participation in President Lopez Obrador’s morning press conference on July 9 drawing attention from local media. Sheinbaum has promised a new era for Mexico, and these appointments are expected to be an important part of her administration’s efforts to modernize the country’s military and address its security challenges.
Source: Reuters
