Guatemala

摘要

Although the president is the nominal commander in chief, the minister of national defense - almost always a senior Army general - has typically been very influential. It could be said that the minister of national defense is unquestionably in charge of national security policy. The minister also appoints the commanders of the respective military regions and zones. Command sequence flows from the president to the minister of defense, and then to the chief of the national defense staff. The latter exercises operational command over all units (except the presidential guard) and the six directorates. The president is advised on defense issues by the Supreme Council of National Defense, which includes the defense minister and senior commanders.