The Peruvian Army's traditional olive green once again took center stage along Brasil Avenue as an impressive formation made up of its military academies, historic units, and elite forces marched in tribute to the 205th Anniversary of Peru's Independence.
The parade began with the Grand Band of the Peruvian Army, comprising 81 musicians who performed the traditional Tupac Amaru March, among other pieces, setting the marching cadence for the military formation and stirring enthusiasm among spectators gathered along Brasil Avenue in Lima’s Jesus Maria district.
Following the band, the Army Honor Guard, the massed military bands, cadets from the Chorrillos Military School (EMCH), the Multipurpose Brigade, and the Airborne Detachment marched into the parade, saluting the official reviewing stand where President Keiko Fujimori was in attendance.
The Army's musical tradition dates back to 1825 with the creation of the band of the Peruvian Guard Legion, heir to a rich historical legacy that has accompanied the country's major military ceremonies.
Today, the Grand Band is led by Chief Warrant Officer Teofilo Barrientos Bustamante, senior bandmaster of the Lima and Callao garrison.
The formation was led by Brigadier General Cesar Andaluz Salaverry, commandant of the Chorrillos Military School, who headed the General Staff as it marched past the official reviewing stand.
One of the parade's most symbolic moments was the march of the Peruvian Guard Legion, a unit established by Liberator Jose de San Martin in 1821 and regarded as the origin of Peru's Republican Army. Its formation included Infantry Battalion No. 1, the "Glorious Junin Hussars" Cavalry Regiment No. 1, and the Flying Artillery Battery.
Also taking part were cadets from the Chorrillos Military School, the institution responsible for training the Army's future officers.
Their historic uniform, inspired by the French military mission, retains 33 gold buttons as part of its long-standing tradition.
In remarks to Andina News Agency, Army Colonel Ari Salhuana explained that the Chorrillos Military School is the alma mater of the institution's officers and trains professionals in the specialties of infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, communications, intelligence, and ordnance.
"The Chorrillos Military School is the alma mater of Army officers, where cadets are trained under the principles of discipline, integrity, and fairness," Salhuana noted.
He indicated that the military academy has admitted women since 1997, adding that it now has female officers who have attained the rank of colonel.
The crowd also applauded the march of the 1st Multipurpose Brigade, which specializes in disaster response and emergency support operations, as well as the USAR PER-13 search and rescue team, recognized for its rapid response capabilities in high-risk situations.
Regarding this unit, Salhuana underscored that the Multipurpose Brigade has been deployed in various emergencies across the country, including river overflows in Lima, the collapse of the Chancay Bridge, and search operations for missing persons.
He added that the brigade is preparing to respond to the potential impacts of El Niño phenomenon, for which it has developed contingency plans and conducted various drills.
The parade concluded with the Airborne Detachment, a major formation established in May 2025 that brings together Airborne Infantry Battalion No. 39, Airmobile Battalion No. 40, and Special Forces Battalion No. 41, consolidating its position as one of the Peruvian Army's elite forces.