Gerardo Clemente R. Vega García (28 March 1940 – 22 June 2022) was a Mexican general who served from 2000 to 2006 as Minister of Defense. Biography Vega studied at the Heróico Colegio Militar., he received a bachelor's degree in administration from the Escuela Superior de Guerra and a master's degree in security and national defense from the Colegio de la Defensa Nacional. He was a professor of the Heróico Colegio Militar and of the Escuela Superior de Guerra and served as Director of the Colegio de la Defensa Nacional and Rector of the Universidad del Ejército y la Fuerza Aérea. Career and education Vega held different positions in the Mexican army. As Captain he served in the 13/o Batallón de Infantería in Veracruz and in the 15/o Regimiento de Caballería in Guanajuato. As Major he served in Mérida, Villahermosa, Chihuahua and Quintana Roo. He also served as the Mexican military attaché in the former Soviet Union, Poland, and West Germany. In 2000 President Vicente Fox designated him Minister of Defense. References 1940 births 2022 deaths People from Puebla (city) Mexican generals Mexican Secretaries of Defense Military personnel from Puebla Politicians from Puebla 21st-century Mexican politicians