Colombian Naval Infantry The Colombian Naval Infantry and also referred to as Colombian Marines ( ) is the marine force of the Colombian National Armada . The 24 , 000 - member Colombian Marine Infantry is organized into a single division with four brigades ( one amphibious assault brigade and three riverine brigade ) , each with several battalions plus numerous small security units . History . The Marine Corps is a constituent part of the Navy whose origins date back to the wars of independence . Raised by an order from President Dr . Alfonso López Pumarejo on January 12 , 1937 , The Colombian Marines started out as a 120 - strong Marine Company , located on Naval Base Cartagena . On March 8 , 1940 , the 1st Marine Battalion was raised , with three companies to cover Bolivar , Putumayo and San Andres Islands , then in 1943 was assigned to Buenaventura , Barranquilla , Puerto Leguizamo and the eastern plains . In 1944 , a heavy weapons company was raised and the battalion was moved to facilities adjacent to the San Pedro Claver convent in Cartagena , also in 1952 , the Marines were reassigned to the Eastern Naval Force due to the appearance of subversives in this area , one year later , the tables are increased with the entry of officers and NCOs from the Army , who after some time it echelons in the Marines . In July 1955 , the first Marines are preparing to implement a harsh doctrines of amphibious warfare , thanks to the instruction of officers and NCOs in the United States in the United States Naval Academy , The Basic School of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps School of Infantry and the U . S . mission of the United States Marine Corps aimed for this effort . On April 9 , 1956 , the Marine Corps Basic and Formation School was opened , headquartered in Turbaco ( Bolivar ) , then moved to Carne ( Cartagena ) . And now works at Covenas . A new dimension of warfare appears in 1957 , in Puerto Leguizamo , creating the " INLAND COMMANDS " , the first unit called " Flotilla Avispa " , gives rise to operations in rivers and water bodies in the country . On July 3 , 1958 , the Colombian Naval Academy had its first 8 Marine lieutenants commissioned . In 1964 , the Marine Directoriate of the Navy was established and became the Marine Corps Command in 1967 . The specialty of amphibious command born in 1956 , with a group of men who received a strong and intensive training , giving rise to the Special Forces Battalion of Marine Infantry , which currently retains title . Marine Infantry Training Base , based in Covenas , began work in 1975 , incorporating conscripts to advance its basic instruction , through the Battalions of Instruction , then moving to the tactical units of Marines . The Marines arrived at the Operational Unit Mayor , on January 15 , 1984 , the presence of the Marines , is in the jurisdiction of the Navy land , archipelagos , islands , coastal and river arteries . Its slogan is “ LA VOLUNTAD TODO LO SUPERA ” " WILL SURPASSES EVERYTHING " Since then , the Marines have had several changes in line with the operational situation and public order in Colombia . Personnel . The Colombian Marine Infantry fields approximately 22 , 000 personnel , among officers and Infantrymen , and it ' s by far the biggest Corps within the Navy . Ranks & Insignias . The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Marine Infantry personnel . Organization . Marine Infantry Training Base . Base de entrenamiento de infanteria de marina " " BEIM " " . Is located in a small town called Coveñas , Sucre Department , in the caribbean north of Colombia . It has 3 battalions for recruits ' boot camp training called BINIM 1 , BINIM2 and BINIM3 ( " BINIM " , Batallón de Instrucción de Infantería de Marina ) . A 13 - week training program is performed under supervision of the United States Naval Mission by a Gunnery Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps . The BEIM also has an Specialists Center ( " CESIM " : Centro de Especialistas de Infantería de marina ) , where professional marines and sub - officers ( Coporals - Sergeants ) receive special training courses : Drill instructor , Anti - explosives , Canine guide , Personal defense , Shooter and Water survival . The training in this center is also supervised by the Gunnery Sergeant of the US Naval Mission . There is also the Batallón de Comando y Apoyo de IM Nº 2 ( " BACAIM2 " ) in charge of the watch and security of the surrounding areas of the base and some sectors of the Sucre Department . Is a minor operative unit with the main purpose of neutralizing narcoterrorism . Mainly operated in the Caribbean Region of Colombia , in the area of Montes de María . First Riverine Marine Infantry Brigade . The First Fluvial Brigade of the Naval Infantry was founded with the main purpose of grouping the direction , organization and control of all fluvial units of the former Fluvial Fleet of Magdalena and the Oriente . Second Riverine Marine Infantry Brigade . The Second Fluvial Brigade of the Naval Infantry is based in Buenaventura , Valle del Cauca Department . Third Riverine Marine Infantry Brigade . The Third Fluvial Brigade of the Naval Infantry is based in Puerto Leguizamo , Putumayo Department . Riverine Task Group . The Fluvial Tasks Group is a minor operative unit created on February 16 , 2004 to participate in the Joint Task Force OMEGA which participates in operations part of the Plan Patriota .