MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Peruvian Army chief helps overcome rift with Chile

New Army Chief General Otto Guibovich

Peruvian Armed Forces “never again” should be involved in politics and must only be committed to the protection of democracy said the incoming Army Chief General Otto Guibovich on Friday helping to cool a spat with neighbouring Chile.

General Guibovich replaced General Edwin Donayre who caused a rift when remarks of his surfaced on You Tube saying that Chileans should not be allowed to enter Peru, and if they did enter they should leave in wooden boxes or plastic bags. Chileans called for Edwin Donayre's immediate resignation after the remarks but Peru rejected the demand and the General left, as scheduled, after two years of service on Friday. General Guibovich in his speech thanked President Alan García for his nomination and promised not to let him down, or the confidence the Army had deposited on him. "The sword as a symbol of command and honour shines when it is involved in its specific responsibilities but becomes opaque when it distances from our commitments. A never again is essential as a renewed allegiance", said the incoming Army chief. Donayre's incendiary statements were captured on video months ago at a private meeting, where he toasted with his colleagues with a drink in hand. They caused uproar in both countries after appearing in local media. "Today, Guibovich stepped in as general and with this, it seems to me there will be nothing more to say on the matter," Peruvian President Alan Garcia said. Over the weekend, Peru cancelled a trip by its Defence minister to Chile because of Donayre's comments. The incident was the latest diplomatic brush between Chile and Peru that have good relations but disagree on several sensitive issues like maritime borders and the legacy of the 1879/1883 Pacific War which forced Peru to yield territory in the south to Chile. In the late 1970s, under military dictatorships, both countries almost went to war and the border remains heavily mined.