Granaderos de Tarqui

The Presidential Escort Group "Granaderos de Tarqui (Spanish: Grupo de Caballería Escolta Presidencial "Granaderos de Tarqui") is the President of Ecuador's honour guard service regiment, which protects the Carondelet Palace in Quito. Granaderos de Tarqui, means Grenadiers of Tarqui in Spanish.

Background
The history of the Granaderos dates from the era of independence revolutions in Latin America. The Granaderos have their origin in the troops commanded by Marshal Antonio José de Sucre who was responsible for the Ecuadorian victory in the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, which effectively sealed the independence of Ecuador from Spain. These troops also participated in the Battle of Portete de Tarqui on February 27, 1829, in the provinces of Azuay and Loja. The soldiers in this contingent included Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. Later in the 19th century, the Government Palace of Quito was beginning to be guarded by Army units, which had their headquarters in the nearby building of the former colonial battalion Real de Lima. Despite this, they never served permanently as Ecuadorian presidents have historically never had a permanent bodyguard until that point. On January 25, 1919, the Cavalry Group No. 1 was first organized as Presidential Escort, which remained in effect until 1940. On October 31, 1952, by executive order of President José María Velasco Ibarra, a reform of army units was carried out, with the escort having more of a public role. In 1987, then President León Febres Cordero published a ministerial resolution on the unit, officially giving it the honorary title of Grenadiers of Tarqui. Under the government of Rafael Correa, the Presidential Military House and the Presidential Air Transport Squadron in the Presidential Protection Service were merged, and attached to the Presidency of the Republic. Correa also decreed that the Changing of the Guard is to be held every Monday in the Plaza de la Independencia of Quito, in the presence of the President and other dignities of the State.

Functions
The regiment has the following roles in its service:


 * Provide honors for the President of Ecuador
 * Take part in the changing of the guard at the Carondelet Palace
 * Provide honors for Heads of State during official visits to Quito
 * Provide honors for deceased leaders and figures
 * Raise and lower the national flag at the Government Palace.

Composition

 * Headquarters Company
 * Presidential Mounted Ceremonial Squadron
 * 1st Squadron
 * 2nd Squadron
 * Mounted fanfare band

Uniform
Their regimental uniform is of French influence and was worn by soldiers who fought with Antonio José de Sucre in the battles for Independence and specifically in the Battle of Portete de Tarqui. It consists of a helmet made of blue cloth with tricolor plume and the Shield of the Ecuador towards the front,a blue jacket with neck and rigid sleeves lined with red cloth, epaulettes, white denim pants, and tube boots. The regiment also wears white suede gloves during its public duties. Officers carry a steel sword with a lion's head hilt and gilded gilt on the fire and carved in high relief, while the regiment's NCOs carry a lance with a tricolor pennant when they march on horseback and on foot.