Jimmy Arias Grullón: biography and career of the Commanding General of the Dominican Republic Army

Héctor Romero
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Héctor Romero
Periodista, diplomático y productor audiovisual. Director y co-creador de De Último Minuto.
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Jimmy Arias Grullón is a Dominican military officer, Major General of the Dominican Republic Army and current Commanding General of that institution. Throughout his career, he has held positions related to presidential security, military education, operations, and the training of members of the Armed Forces.

His career gained special public relevance when he held the position of head of the Presidential Security Corps (CUSEP) between 2022 and 2026, a period during which he was responsible for the protection of President Luis Abinader and other functions related to presidential security.

On August 16, 2026, through Decree No. 557-26, President Abinader appointed Arias Grullón as Commanding General of the Dominican Republic Army, replacing Major General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez.

Who is Jimmy Arias Grullón?

Jimmy Arias Grullón is an officer of the Dominican Republic Army with academic training and experience in areas such as security, infantry, intelligence, military operations, protection of officials, training, and border security.

He is a native of Santo Domingo and has developed his professional career within the Dominican Armed Forces, where he has performed operational, educational, and command functions.

Before assuming the General Command of the Army, he was one of the main officials responsible for presidential security during the government of Luis Abinader.

Military training of Jimmy Arias Grullón

Arias Grullón entered the Batalla de las Carreras Military Academy on January 11, 1996, an institution in charge of training officers for the Dominican Republic Army.

After completing his military training, he obtained the degree of Bachelor of Military Sciences on December 10, 1999.

Since then, he continued to expand his training through national and international programs related to military sciences and security.

Among the areas in which he has trained are land border security, infantry for officers, protection of officials, air and border operations, intelligence, and instructor training.

Their preparation therefore combines the traditional training of an Army officer with specialized knowledge in planning, operations, and personal protection.

Jimmy Arias Grullón’s Army Career

Jimmy Arias Grullón’s career includes different responsibilities within the Dominican military structure.

Among the roles he has held are Deputy Director General of Education, Training, and Military Instruction of the Dominican Republic Army and operations officer of the Conference of American Armies.

He was also commander of the Infantry School for Officers and commander of the Military Training Battalion, positions directly related to the preparation and training of members of the Armed Forces.

Likewise, he carried out teaching duties within the military institution.

In 2017, he served as a full-time professor at the Graduate School of Military Studies of the Dominican Republic Army, in addition to serving as Director of Faculty Development.

This combination of academic and operational responsibilities constitutes an important part of their professional career.

His Command and General Staff training

Arias Grullón also pursued higher education related to military command and planning.

In the Comprehensive Military Library System, he is registered as one of the authors of the academic work “Manual of operational terms and graphics of the Dominican Republic Army”, prepared together with César Alberto Tejeda Cordero.

The document was presented as academic work within the Command and General Staff program of the Graduate School of Military Studies of the Dominican Republic Army.

The research addresses aspects related to military terminology, symbols, operational graphics, acronyms, and tools used in the planning of military operations.

Experience in the Presidential Security Corps

Jimmy Arias Grullón’s relationship with the Presidential Security Corps dates back to the early 2000s.

According to his publicly disclosed military resume, he served in the CUSEP in 2001, during the administration of President Hipólito Mejía.

Years later he would return to the organization to assume higher-ranking responsibilities.

On August 16, 2020, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Corps, through Decree no. 326-20.

From that position, he was part of the team responsible for the security of President Luis Abinader.

Subsequently, he assumed interim management responsibilities at CUSEP after his then-boss, Major General Celín Rubio Terrero, faced health issues.

Jimmy Arias Grullón as head of CUSEP

On August 16, 2022, President Luis Abinader formally appointed Jimmy Arias Grullón as head of the Presidential Security Corps, through Decree no. 445-22.

He replaced Major General Celín Rubio Terrero in the position.

The appointment placed Arias Grullón at the head of one of the most important security agencies of the Dominican State.

The CUSEP has among its responsibilities to protect and safeguard the integrity of the President and Vice President of the Republic, their family members, as well as former presidents, former vice presidents, and certain foreign dignitaries during their visits to the country.

Arias Grullón remained at the head of the organization for approximately four years.

Military promotions

Jimmy Arias Grullón has received different promotions during his career within the Dominican Republic Army.

On February 27, 2020 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

Subsequently, President Luis Abinader ordered his promotion to the rank of major general of the Dominican Republic Army through Decree no. 114-24, of February 26, 2024.

The promotion recognized his academic preparation, experience in security matters, and performance within the Armed Forces.

Appointment as Commanding General of the Army

On August 16, 2026, Jimmy Arias Grullón reached one of the most important positions of his military career.

President Luis Abinader appointed him Commanding General of the Dominican Republic Army through Decree no. 557-26.

Arias Grullón replaced Major General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez in the position, who went on to serve as Inspector General of the Armed Forces.

The designation implied, at the same time, his departure from the Presidential Security Corps.

Brigadier General Guillermo Caro Cruz was appointed as the new head of CUSEP, and he was also promoted to the rank of Major General.

With his arrival at the General Command, Arias Grullón went from directing the agency directly in charge of presidential protection to heading one of the three branches that make up the Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic.

Awards and decorations

Throughout his military career, Jimmy Arias Grullón has received recognition for his service within the Armed Forces.

Among them is the Military Merit Order with White Decoration, awarded in 2014.

He also received the Order of Military Merit with Blue Insignia, through Decree no. 237-16, of September 9, 2016.

These decorations are part of the recognitions granted to members of the Armed Forces for their services and institutional trajectory.

Career linked to military education

One of the least known aspects of Jimmy Arias Grullón’s career is his participation in the training of other military personnel.

In addition to his operational responsibilities, he has held positions related to education, training, and coaching within the Army.

He was a professor at the Graduate School of Military Studies, Director of Faculty Development, commander of the Infantry School for Officers, and commander of the Military Training Battalion.

He also served as Deputy Director General of Education, Training, and Military Instruction.

These functions show a career that has not been limited to security or command positions, but has also been linked to the academic and operational preparation of members of the Army.

From presidential security to command of the Army

The recent trajectory of Jimmy Arias Grullón can be divided into three main stages.

First, his professional training and development within the Army, where he accumulated experience in operations, education, and military training.

Second, his return to the Presidential Security Corps in 2020 as deputy chief and subsequently as chief of that agency since 2022.

And third, his appointment in August 2026 as Commanding General of the Dominican Republic Army.

His time in these positions has placed him among the officers with the greatest responsibility within the Dominican military structure.

Frequently asked questions about Jimmy Arias Grullón

Who is Jimmy Arias Grullón?

Jimmy Arias Grullón is a major general of the Dominican Republic Army who has held various military and security positions. Since August 2026, he has been the Commanding General of the Army.

What is Jimmy Arias Grullón’s current position?

Jimmy Arias Grullón is the Commanding General of the Dominican Republic Army. He was appointed to the position through Decree no. 557-26, dated August 16, 2026.

When did Jimmy Arias Grullón join the Army?

He entered the Batalla de las Carreras Military Academy on January 11, 1996.

What did Jimmy Arias Grullón study?

He obtained a degree in Military Sciences on December 10, 1999, and subsequently continued his training in different areas of military, security, and Command and General Staff.

Was Jimmy Arias Grullón head of security for Luis Abinader?

Yes. He was the head of the Presidential Security Corps between August 2022 and August 2026. Previously, he had been the deputy head of the agency since 2020.

When was he promoted to major general?

He was promoted to the rank of Major General of the Army through Decree no. 114-24, dated February 26, 2024.

Who did he replace as general commander of the Army?

He replaced Major General Jorge Iván Camino Pérez, who went on to serve as Inspector General of the Armed Forces.

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Periodista, diplomático y productor audiovisual. Director y co-creador de De Último Minuto.