Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Furious Style (talk | contribs) at 22:47, 28 March 2013 (typo). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. Such statements should be clarified or removed. (October 2012) This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (October 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Misplaced Pages's quality standards. You can help. The talk page may contain suggestions. (October 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

National Bolivarian Armed Forces
Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana
Service branches	File:Military shield of venezuela.png National Army National Navy Military Aviation National Guard National Militia File:Sello Guardia de Honor Presidencial.pngHonor Guard
Leadership
Commander-In-Chief of the National Armed Forces	Interim President Nicolas Maduro
Minister of the People's Power for Defense	Admiral in Chief Diego Alfredo Molero Bellavia
Commander of the Operational Strategic Command	MGEN Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernández
Personnel
Conscription	18-30 years of age 30 month term
Active personnel	113,558 (2012)
Expenditure
Budget	$4,508 million (2012)
Percent of GDP	6.5% (2012) 1.1% (2010 est.)
Industry
Domestic suppliers	CAVIM CENARECA MAZVEN DIANCA UCOCAR G&F Tecnología
Foreign suppliers	Russia  Spain  Italy  China  Belarus  Sweden  Austria  Brazil  South Africa  Iran  Belgium  Cuba  Japan  Argentina
Related articles
History	Venezuelan War of Independence
Ranks	Venezuelan military ranks

The main roles of the National Armed Forces of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB) are to defend the sovereign national territory of Venezuela, fight against drug trafficking, to provide search and rescue capabilities and in case of natural disasters protection and aid to the civilian population.

The Venezuelan National Armed Forces are denominated "Forjador de Libertades" or "Forger of Freedoms". This refers to the Venezuelan armies fighting in Venezuela's independence war, as well as the independence wars of five other countries, namely Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Panamá (then part of New Granada, present day Colombia) and Bolivia.

Currently, the national armed force of Venezuela is a conscript force. It does not have nuclear, chemical or biological warfare capability. It has established a number of partnerships with other regional militaries.

History of the Armed Forces of Venezuela

The origin of an organized and professional army in Venezuela dates to the Spanish troops quartered in the former Province of Venezuela in the 18th century. Politically and militarily until the creation of the Captaincy General of Venezuela in 1777, the Province of Venezuela depended on the Real Audiencia of Santo Domingo (in today's Dominican Republic) or the Viceroyalty of New Granada (today, Colombia). In 1732 the Spanish crown created a Military Directorate and established a number of battalions, and had a few units from infantry regiments based in Spain. Reform of the military in the colonies began a few decades later. The first squadrons of cavalry arrived from Spain in 1751. The first companies of Artillery were created two years later. Both Creole whites and blacks were allowed to enter the ranks of the artillery companies. That same year, a Fixed Caracas Battalion was established. Until the creation of this battalion, defense had been based on small colonial militia companies, which initially only accepted whites. Gradually, this racist policy yielded and the entry of mixed-race people was allowed in the militias. It was from these various units that the bulk of officer cadre which commanded patriot troops in the Venezuelan War of Independence emerged. Among them were Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda, Simón Bolívar (Bolívar's own father had been Colonel of the Militia of Aragua), general in chief Santiago Mariño, Rafael Urdaneta, among many others. With the establishment of an independent captaincy general, the Spanish troops quartered in the province passed to the direct command of Caracas. The troops in the other provinces of the country, under the command of local governors, were overseen by the Captain General of Caracas, who served as commander in chief of the armed services. In this way a series of autonomous units was created for the peoples of the area and for defense duties.

Already in the early 19th century, many of these Venezuelan officials began to arrive in the country after participating in military campaigns abroad in the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolution, or after completing their studies in Europe. With them came a number of mercenaries of many different nationalities: English, Scottish, Irish, French, German, Brazilian, Poles, Russians, and others. It could be said that in the first two decades of the 19th century, the nascent Liberation Army, was in the midst of the intellectual training of their military cadres, in various attempts to unleash the revolutionary war, and trying to build a modern army. In the midst of that task came the generalissimo Francisco de Miranda, and the Liberator Simón Bolívar, who called for immediate action. Bolívar surprised his military colleagues, when he rejected part of the Napoleonic military assumptions, habits and behaviors, took more British soldiers, and even through third parties requested the assistance of the British Crown. And he did made no mistake: the 19th century, ultimately, was dominated by British and Prussian military influences. Once in battle, Bolívar began to develop his own tactics, military strategies and practices, whose legacy remains till this day in the National Armed Forces, and led to victory after victory and the full liberation of not just Venezuela, but of northern South America.

National period

During the second half of the 19th century, a school for officers continued (Military Academy of Mathematics, which was decades in advance of the policy of unification of arms and services of the Spanish military academy, which was in fact after to the Venezuelan one), a standing Army, weapons, and creating new services including the Corps of Sappers. This phase of the Venezuelan Army, is marked by infighting and a domain of local militias with no training. The little outside help in military matters at this stage is limited to the British and the Chilean military missions. The military figures (there were other political figures) of the Army who were the most important at this stage are: Marshal Juan Crisóstomo Falcón, General in Chief Cipriano Castro, Brigadier General Ezequiel Zamora and Manuel Ezequiel Bruzual.

Already in the first half of the 20th century, President General in Chief Juan Vicente Gómez, who originally based on the plans of General in Chief Cipriano Castro, began a thorough modernization in the Army, but does not create a new army as some historians point out. This modernization was done with the help of instructors and advisers from Chile, France, Italy and Germany. Interestingly, the late Prussian influence, doesn't reach the Venezuelan Army from the Germans, but from the Chilean military instructors. One of the most important reforms undertaken during the Gómez regime of the National Armed Forces, which began in 1910 with the aim of making the national armed services uniform, modern and technically advanced in this era of the 20th Century.

The reform coincided with the centennial anniversary of the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence, which contributed to the doctrinal and political cohesion of the army and the navy. The most important milestones of this reform were:

In 1910, operation of the Military Academy of Venezuela that was reformed in 1903 started, and within it, the Nautical School (then called Naval School of Venezuela), establishing the School of Application for Military officers in active service with the aim of upgrading their military expertise. In 1913 the Superior Technical Office responsible for the development of military doctrine, organization and training of the army, was founded.

In 1920 the Military Aviation School of Venezuela was established. It is located in Maracay and was inaugurated the first of January of the next year to train the nation's military pilots.

In 1923/1930 a new Code of Military law was adopted that superseded all previous military laws and responded to the new political and military situation in the country. This process was accompanied by the modernization of the infrastructure, provision of arms, equipment, uniforms and a sustained growth of the military budget, which was made possible by oil revenues. The reform had a strong German influence. This is due mainly to the fact the Prussian army was the most modern of the era and in this sense become a model internationally.

The most important political consequence of this reform was the military defeat and political leadership, converted in 1913 after anti-gomecism. Since 1914 Gomez always retained the post of commander in chief of the Army, even when not holding the presidency of the Republic. The power base of support of the regime after 1913, apart from the yellow liberals and nationalists, was the armed forces, which became an essential element of repression to ensure public order and national progress.

At this stage the military and political figures more relevant (apart from the general Gómez himself), were the General in Chief Eleazar López Contreras (who founded the National Guard in 1937) and Division General Isaías Medina Angarita.

The second half of the 20th century, was just as turbulent for the Army, but it was projected into the future as a modern force, though not yet cohesive. Already under the government of Division General Marcos Pérez Jiménez, the American influence (cultural, political and military) became more prominent then in the entire history of the army. So jealous of the Venezuelan Army, over the subsequent decades, he kept a precarious existing French influence, as a balance to the overwhelming American influence. Between the years 1945 and 1952, there was a major program of military equipment purchases almost monopolized by the United States (although other military material was acquired from other sources). And again in the early years of the decade of the'70s, albeit in a more balanced way by their countries of origin.

The new Army of the 21st century, was born again under a turbulent internal and external picture for the nation. But in a relatively short time it has undergone significant changes, including its name (from National Armed Forces to National Bolivarian Armed Forces) to its doctrines, switching from a non-political position to one that defends socialism and the bolivarian revolution itself on its own. This change has been clearly visible by the switchover of partners and suppliers from 1999, the year that marked the end of a long-standing cooperation between the National Armed Forces, the US and its allies, to a new system of "multilateral alliances" with the Russian Federation as the biggest of those allies.

Doctrine

The military doctrine of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces combines both Bolivarian and socialist principles, and also contributes to the development of the Venezuelan people integrated in the work of social mission promoted by the national Government; This new doctrine replaced the doctrine of national security. In the new defense doctrine, it replaces the people as potential enemy, and sets greater civil-military interaction and cooperation. The new Bolivarian Constitution promulgated in 1999, is unmistakable when specified, in its preamble, the democratic, anti-imperialist, condition as well as the defence of the principles of non-intervention and self-determination of peoples, as the momentum and consolidation of Latin American integration.

“The people of Venezuela, in exercise of their creative powers and invoke God's protection, the historical example of our liberator Simon Bolivar and the heroism and sacrifice of our Aboriginal ancestors and of precursors and a free and sovereign homeland forgers; the Supreme goal of redefining the Republic to establish a democratic, participatory society and leading, multi-ethnic and multicultural in a State of Justice, federal and decentralized, which consolidate the values of freedom, independence, peace, solidarity, the common good, territorial integrity, coexistence and the rule of law for this and future generations; ensure the right to life, to work, to culture, to education, to social justice and equality without discrimination or subordination of any; promote peaceful cooperation between Nations and impulse and consolidate Latin American integration in accordance with the principle of non-intervention and self-determination of peoples, the universal and indivisible guarantee of human rights, the democratization of international society, nuclear disarmament, the ecological balance and environmental legal goods such as common and inalienable heritage of humanity; in exercise of its originating power represented by the National Constituent Assembly, by a free vote and democratic referendum he decreed the following”. Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 1999

Mission

According to the Article 3 of the Armed Forces Organic Law, this has as its fundamental mission, ensuring the independence and sovereignty of the nation and ensure the integrity of the geographical space, by means of military defence, cooperation in the maintenance of internal order and active participation in national development.

Organization and Structure

The President of Venezuela is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces under constitutional provisions, thus he has overall supervision and control over it.

Ministry of Defense

The Venezuelan Ministry of the People's Power for Defense is the federal-level organ responsible for maintaining the Venezuelan armed forces. As of December 2012, this ministry is headed by Admiral Diego Alfredo Molero Bellavia after the retirement of his predecessor, General in Chief Henry Rangel Silva, from military service. The ministry coordinates numerous counter-narcotics operations, organizes various civil protection measures and operations, and general oversees the conventional military capabilities of Venezuela.

High Command and the High Council of the FAN

He is assisted in his functions by the Military High Command of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which consists of the Minister of Defense who is an officer of the armed forces with the rank of general or admiral in chief (which is the only officer who holds this rank in the armed forces), the Chief of Inspectorate General for Defense, the Chief of the Operational Strategic Command, the Commanding General of the Army, the Commanding General of the Navy, the Commanding General of the Air Force, the Commanding General of the National Guard, and the Commanding Officer of the General Command of the National Reserve and National Mobilization (LOFAN Art. 42). The High Council of the NAF is made by the Military High Command. It is the principal organ for consultation and advice of the President of the Republic, of the National Defense Council and Minister of Defense, on issues of organization, operation, development and employment of the Armed Forces, either in peacetime or in state of emergency.

Other decentralised directorates

Operational Strategic Command

The Operational Strategic Command (CEOFAN) is the highest organ of programming, planning, management, implementation and strategic joint operational control of the National Armed Forces, with jurisdiction over the entire geographical area of the Nation and in mainland areas, water and space, according to treaties signed and ratified by the Republic. This organization is supported legally by the current Article 60 of the Organic Law of the National Armed Forces (LOFAN). This body was called by the Law of Armed Forces LOFAN: CUFAN (Unified Command of the Armed Forces). The leadership of this organ is held by a major general or rear admiral of a component of the FAN. Basically the Operational Strategic Command (CEO) is the body responsible for coordinating the action of military units belonging to different components of the Armed Forces, for example, an air war, where they expect the participation of the Army battalions, groups of aviation and air support units from the Navy, National Guard or the reserve, would be coordinated by the command.

Its former commander (until July 2012) was General in Chief Henry Rangel Silva concurrently also Minister of Defense, and the current commander is Major General Wilmer Omar Barrientos Fernández, the former Auditor General of the National Armed Forces.

The newly created military regions are subordinate to the OSC, NBAF.

Since the implementation of the Amred Forces Organic Law, after its reform, the commanders of the OSC have been:

(*): They were subsequently appointed defence ministers.

Note: Jesús Alfonzo González González was promoted to General in Chief, after handing the post.

Military Regions

The Integral Strategic Defense Regions (REDI, Regiones Estrategicas de Defensa Integral), were activated recently, on 13 September 2008, in compliance with the provisions of the new Organic Law of the National Armed Forces.

These are organized in the following way:

Note: Major General Celso Enrique Canelones Guevara came from being the chief of the REDI Los Llanos.

Components

The National Armed Forces of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Fuerza Armada Nacional, FAN) are the overall unified military forces of Venezuela. It includes 113,558 (2012) men and women, under Article 328 of the Bolivarian Constitution (1999), in 5 components of Ground, Sea and Air, plus a special honor guard unit stationed in Caracas for the security of the President and for public duties. The components of the National Armed Forces are as follows:

• Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army
• Venezuelan Bolivarian National Navy
• Venezuelan Bolivarian National Air Force
• Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guard
• Venezuelan Bolivarian National Militia
• Venezuelan Presidential Honor Guard

Branches of the Military

According to Article 9 of the Organic Law of the National Armed Forces, which entered into force on 26 September 2005, the FAN is composed of four components, the Army, Navy, the Air Force, National Guard, which operate in an integrated manner and are supplemented by the National Reserve and Territorial Guard, gathered at the General Command of the National Reserve and National Mobilization, as the fifth component of it, to meet defense and participate in the defense of the Nation. Each component has its own command and general staff, logistical structures and training schools, with the exception of the Reserve, which is fed by tables of NCO, sergeants and officers previously trained in other branches, but it has its own training centers, and has initiated special courses for training officers.

About 83,000 soldiers were integrated in the military through a fifth service branch, the Armed Reserve, although some of this force is more of a militia than a formal, professional armed corps.. In 2006 the FAN was transformed into six service branches, the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, National Reserve and the Territorial Guard. The Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard will serve under the Strategic Operational Command (Comando Estratégico Operacional), the National Reserve and the Territorial Guard will serve under the National Reserve and Mobilization Command (Comando General de la Reserva Nacional y Movilizacion Nacional), also called the National Militia General Command (Comando General de la Milicia Nacional).

Main branches

Army

The Venezuelan Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejército), is made up today of roughly 90,000 troops (including conscripts). Its main function is planning, implementing and monitoring terrestrial military operations in coordination with the other components of the national armed forces, in pursuit of the Integrated Defense of the Nation. Currently, it is organized in six operating divisions plus the other components: an Army Aviation Command, Corps of Engineers, Logistics Command, and Military Education Command. It is a modern and disciplined army, composed of armored units, infantry, engineers and artillery, with a significant force projection power, and resources that allows to develop various types of airlift operations proportional to its size. It is the largest military branch of Venezuela, which on the 24th of June 1821 won a huge military victory against the Empire of Spain in the Battle of Carabobo, which led to the independence of the nation. (This date is commemorated yearly as Army Day.) It later contributed to the independence of the present-day countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia. It also fought in the long Federal War.

Its current commander is Major General Carlos Alcalá Cordones.

Navy

The Venezuelan Navy (Fuerzas Navales or Armada Nacional) and Marines (Infanteria de Marina) is a modern navy of medium dimensions and ocean capable. The primary mission of the Navy is to implement, manage and control naval operations, naval aircraft, and the Coast Guard in support of Navy activities to ensure the execution of plans of employment.

The staff is estimated at roughly (estimated) 42,000 men and women. This figure includes 12,000 Marines and some 560 personnel from the Naval Aviation. The chain of command of the Venezuelan Navy is: Commanding General of the Navy, Inspector General of the Navy and Chief of the Naval General Staff. There are five major commands: Naval Logistics Command, Naval Personnel Command, Naval Education and Training Command and the Naval Operations Command, which in turn is composed of the following commands: Fleet Forces Command, Riverline Command, Naval Aviation Command, Coast Guard Command and the Marine Division. Operationally, the country is divided into two Naval zones; Western Naval Zone (HQ: Punto Fijo) and Eastern Naval Area (HQ: Carupano) that currently covers the Atlantic coast. The activation of the projected areas: Central Naval Area (HQ: Puerto Cabello), Atlantic (HQ: Güiria) and South (HQ: Caicara Orinoco) is currently in the planning stages.

Its current commander (as of December 2012) is Admiral Diego Antonio Guerra Barreto.

Air Force

The Venezuelan Air Force (Fuerzas Aérea or Aviación Militar), at the present time, is one of the most modern air forces in Latin America. It was organized the same as the other military components, namely: Air Operations Command (integrated in thirteen Air Groups, consisting of squadrons of transport aircraft, helicopters, fighter and attack aircraft and training aircraft), the Air Defense Command, the Airborne Command, the Logistics Command, and the Personnel Command, including the Air Force Academy and the Air War College. Its main objective is to protect the airspace of Venezuela in coordination with the other components of the National Armed Forces, and to participate actively in the development of the nation. In 2007, the Air Force was renamed as The Bolivarian Military Air Force of Venezuela and has gone into an expansion and modernization program.

Its commander is Major General José Gregorio Pérez Escalona.

National Guard

The National Guard of Venezuela (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional), according to the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, will conduct operations required for the maintenance of internal order in the country, cooperate in military operations required to ensure the defense of the Nation, exercise administrative and police activities of Criminal Investigation assigned to it by the laws, and will actively participate in national development in the territory of the nation. It is a military corps with police functions. With roughly 36.000 troops, its organized into twelve regional commands (brigade size), with plans to expand that number to fifteen. Additionally, there is the Coastal Surveillance Command, the Air Support Command, the National Guard Command School, the Logistics Support Command and the National Guard Academy. It is planned to structure the National Guard in divisions, under the command of the Territorial Commands. In 2007, the National Guard was renamed as the Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela, and was expanded even further to include the People's Guards Command in 2011 and the Anti-extortion and Sequestration Command in 2012, with a Social Action Division in the planning stage as of present. It marks its diamond year anniversary in 2012.

The Commanding General of the National Guard is Major General Juan Francisco Romero Figueroa.

Other branches

National Militia

The General Command of the National Militia is divided in two parts:

1. The National Reserve, consisting of all Venezuelan citizens who are not in active military service, or have completed military service, or who voluntarily join the reserve units.

2. The Territorial Guard, consisting of all Venezuelan citizens who voluntarily serve to organize local resistance to any external aggression.

At the moment the General Command of the National Militia is organized on the basis of nine (09) Reserve groupings, present throughout the national territory, and a dozen of Special Resistance Corps (grouped around workers contingents of enterprises and national institutions). It is an autonomous and auxiliary force for the remaining branches of the FAN. It can be estimated at the present time about 400.000 men and women are on various training levels, but the target of its authorities is to reach 1,100,000, including a newly raised youth cadet arm for university students and a women's militia component.

The Commander of the National Militia is Major General Gustavo Enrique González López.

Presidential Honor Guard

The Presidential Honor Guard is the military unit mandated to ensure the immediate security of the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The most distant antecedent of the Presidential Honor Guard goes back to the Hussars Troop of Bolivar, of the Venezuelan War of Independence and of the larger Spanish American wars of independence, raised in 1815. The Presidential Honor Guard is composed today by the personnel from the five components of National Armed Force and the organisms of citizen security, commanded by a brigadier general or colonel. At the moment, it is a unit of Brigade size. The Brigade provides the honor guard to President in State Arrival Ceremonies at the Miraflores Palace and to the President in every activity held in the grounds and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carabobo Field, Valencia Municipality, Carabobo, in honor of its participation in one of the final two battles of the Venezuelan War of Independence, the Battle of Carabobo in June 24, 1821, fought at the very grounds where the tomb is located, where a Guard Mounting ceremony is held daily in the midday hours.

The Commander of the Presidential Honor Guard Brigade is Colonel Manuel Bernal Martínez.

Military Intelligence

The main directorate of military intelligence (Dirección General de Inteligencia Militar, DGIM), is the bureau in charge to collect all the strategic intelligence data, and to coordinate the diverse institutions or departments of military intelligence, of the components of National Armed Force.

The Chief of the main directorate of military intelligence is brigadier general Wilfredo Figueroa Chacín.

Budget

According to the law of the approved budget for the 2012 Fiscal year, the budget allocated to the defense sector, is US$ 4.959 million, which represents 6.5% of Venezuela's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Another source indicates that the amount is of 4,508 millions of dollars. This amount does not include the additional credit granted by the Russian Federation of 4 billion of dollars, half of which will be used in fiscal year 2012, and the other half in fiscal year 2013.

Military Justice

According to the article 76 of the Organic Law of the National Armed Force, the system of military justice consists of

• The Military Criminal Judicial Circuit.
• The Military Prosecutor.
• The Military Advocacy.
• Auxiliary and research bodies.

Article 77 of the same Act specifies the support logistics and financial of the same: the Ministry of defence will provide the human, financial, material and technical resources for its proper functioning. Likewise, will seek the administrative and financial autonomy of each of the members of the system of military justice.

Personnel

All men and women that are citizens of Venezuela have a constitutional duty to register for the military at the age of 18, which is the age of majority in Venezuela.

Requirements for military service

• Be Venezuelan
• Be between eighteen and thirty (30) years of age for men, and the women twenty-five (25) years of age.
• Be unmarried; and for women not to have children.
• Not having a case in court.
• Present the identity card (while still losing).
• Not be disabled physically.
• Not have a criminal record.

Military Education

The military educational system, according to the concept of military strategy of the National Armed Force, has a mission to educate, train and train professionals pro-active, responsible, aware of the commitment with the defense in depth and its participated actively in the development of the country, achieving a comprehensive and interdisciplinary training that enable them to interact with the management of public or private; the education system will be geared towards a sound humanistic, scientific, research and spiritual culture that promotes leadership and educational self-management, development of competences, which facilitates the adaptation of their knowledge to the continuous transformation of science and technology, with emphasis on the observance and respect of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Venezuelan Bolivarian Military University

The Venezuela Bolivarian Military University (Universidad Militar Bolivariana de Venezuela, UMBV), was created by initiative of the National Executive, through the President, Hugo Chávez, with the firm intention to promote a strategic vision for the country and accelerate the thinking and the military national strategy inspired by the ideology of Simón Bolívar, Samuel Robinson and Ezequiel Zamora. The university was born on September 3, 2010, 200 years from the day of the founding of the Military academy of Venezuela, the oldest military academy in Latin America, to help understand the issue of safety in a holistic manner and to respond in complex form. The UMBV promotes the integration and educational interaction of the various components and the bolivarian militia. Also, the military civic integration also, recognizing both dimensions as a condition sine qua non for the guarantee of the security of the Venezuelan State. This University has the mission of educating integrally all its cadets, with ethical, moral, spiritual and Socialist values professional military components, the Bolivarian and civilian militia that requires the Venezuelan society of the 21st century, through a process of humanistic, scientific, technical and sporting skills, to fulfill the tasks inherent to the component in security activities, defence comprehensive and development of the nation. Headquartered in Fort Tiuna in Caracas, its president is Divisional General Alexis Lopez Ramirez.

This is formed by the following:

Academies

• Military Academy of the Army (Caracas, Capital District)
• Military Academy of the Navy (Catia La Mar, Vargas State)
• Military Aviation Academy (Maracay, Aragua State)
• Military Academy of the National Guard (Caracas, Capital District)
• Bolivarian Military Technical Academy (Maracay, Aragua State)
• Troop Officers Training Center (Centro de Formación de Oficiales de Tropa, CEFOT) (Caracas, Capital District)

Schools

• Infantry School General-in-Chief Rafael Urdaneta
• Cavalry and Armored Forces School Brigadier General Juan Guillermo Iribarren
• Artillery School Colonel Diego Jalón
• School of Logistics Brigadier General José Gabriel Pérez
• School of Military Engineering Brigadier General Francisco Jacot
• Naval Tactical Studies School
• Air Power College
• School of Internal Security Studies
• Military Communications and Electronics Institute (Instituto Universitario Militar de Comunicaciones y Electrónica de la Fuerza Armada Nacional, IUMCOELFA)
• Languages School of the National Armed Forces Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda

Post-Graduate Studies Centers

• Institute of Higher Studies of National Defense (Instituto de Altos Estudios de la Defensa Nacional, IAEDEN)
• National Armed Forces War College

National Experimental University of the Armed Forces

The National Experimental University of the Armed Force (Spanish: Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica de la Fuerza Armada Bolivariana, UNEFA) is a Venezuelan public university associated with the Venezuelan armed forces. Founded in 1974 as Instituto Universitario Politécnico de las Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, it was renamed by the Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez in 1999. This University is University civil professionals to top level, also gives educational training of graduate and doctoral programs.

Mission Miranda

The main goal of the armed forces, under this mission, are to organize, recruit, record, monitor, and re-train the Armed Forces Reserves and National Militias with the aim of defending the integrity of the country through military defense, cooperation in maintaining internal order, and active participation in the national development.

Objectives:

• 1. Form a structural organization of adequate reserves for the needs of the FAN.
• 2. Procure the required infrastructure for the various commands of the reserve in each of the components.
• 3. Procure equipment and materials for storage to be used by members of the Reserve of the Armed Forces:
• 4. Develop an effective registration and monitoring program to ensure the identification, recording and location by region of the personnel of the Armed Forces Reserve.
• 5. Meet the curricular plans and instructional programs for academic activities and skills of the staff of the Armed Forces Reserve.
• 6. Meet the curricular plans and instructional programs for retraining of staff of the Reserve of the Armed Forces during periods of field drills.
• 7. Logistically support all the processes that must be met in the organization of the Armed Forces Reserve
• 8. Planning, procuring and implementing the annual budget required for the operation and maintenance of reserve units.
• 9. Ensure the employment of staff that makes up the Armed Forces Reserve in the different scenarios of action foreseen in the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
• 10. Incentives to seek the staff of the Reserve of the Armed Forces for their recruitment.

Women in the Armed Forces

The integration of the FANB Venezuelan women, is already full; for the year 2012 and all officers training schools have the female students, there are already pilots women, crew members of ships, and they have reached the highest military ranks. President Hugo Chavez said the day, July 2012: "not only is the promotion to a hierarchy, but the promotion that gives Venezuelan people. All women say that they feel proud to be in a country that promotes the inclusion of women". Currently the 4 components that make up the national Bolivarian army force: aviation, Navy, army and national guard, have within their ranks with courageous women who chose a military career for their professional development. Within these components, the Venezuelan military woman has achieved important positions.

In an article published opinion in the year 2010, it is stated that: "Macho culture does not exist within FANB"

Historical dates of the achievements of the Venezuelan women in the National Bolivarian Armed Forces:

• July 1977: first contingent of women to enter a school of training of officers of the armed forces of Venezuela, specifically to the aviation school.
• June 2007: first woman pilot certified to fly the Mi-26 helicopter, the world's biggest helicopter.
• July 4, 2007: first woman promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.
• December 28, 2008: A woman Brigadier Genral founded the Military Technical School of the NBAF (today the Military Technical Academy and formerly the Armed Forces Basic School) as a Director.
• July 5, 2010: the Venezuelan Government conferred Manuela Sáenz (also called the "Libertadora del Libertador"), the grade of brigadier general of the Bolivarian army of Venezuela posthumously, as the "posthumous recognition of the virtues of heroine of American independence".
• November 27, 2009: first female pilot of fighter aircraft.
• January 23, 2012: first woman to complete a flight on a Venezuelan Air Force Super King Air B200
• July 3, 2012: first woman promoted to Admiral.

Ranks, uniforms and insignia

Military Ranks

The most important reform in more than one century, was in 2008, with the enactment of the reform of the Organic Law of the National Armed Forces, which established, among many innovations, the transformation of the non-commissioned officer level "technical officer" to commissioned officer status. As part of the same reform, the rank of major General, intermediate rank that comes after Divisional General and before the rank of General in Chief, was officially created. In the case of the Navy, Admiral in Chief is now equivalent to General in Chief.

Article 62 of the Organic Law of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces has the full order of ranks of military officers, and their equivalents in the Navy, while Article 63 of the Organic Law provides the full military hierarchy of professional troops. Article 69 of the Organic Law provides the military hierarchy of the enlisted personnel and ratings of the National Armed Forces.

Three-sun ranking

The grade of Major General, a rank immediately below the General in Chief and above Divisional General, and their respective equivalence was established in the year 2008 in the aftermath of the Armed Forces Organic Law amendments and in the Navy, Admiral (three-suns) and Admiral in Chief (four-suns) are the equivalent today. These officers are assigned mostly to the leadership of military regions (REDI), Commander General of Components, General Inspectorate, vice-ministers, and temporarily as Chief of the CEOFANB, if the Minister of Defence is an official asset, with the rank of General in Chief.

One must not confuse this range with the General staff in most of the armed forces of the world, which is equivalent to the second rank of general officers.

Four-sun ranking

Since the age of the independence war in Venezuela the most senior officer is designated as general-in-chief (general en jefe). From its creation the rank was represented by three mythical suns (equivalent to three star rank), but with the creation in 2008 of the rank of Major General, four mythical suns (equivalent to four star rank) are used. If used in the Navy, it is called as admiral in chief (almirante en jefe).

Since 2001, twelve officers were promoted to this rank:

Commander-in-Chief ranking

The office of the Venezuelan military supreme commander has always been held by the President of Venezuela as per constitutional requirements, however with the new law sanctioned in 2008, the “Comandante en Jefe” rank is not only a function attributed to the executive branch but a full military rank given to the President upon taking office.

Berets

Berets are worn by some units in the National Armed Forces, with distinctive colors for some units or functions. The beret colors are as follows:

Extensive modernization program

The Venezuelan government has embarked on a massive military purchase programme. This has included negotiations for German submarines and transport aircraft, several agreements with Russia (outlined below), transport aircraft and naval vessels from Spain, radars from China, home-made and designed armored light vehicles and rocket launchers, studies for Russian main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, amongst many others. Most if not all European military hardware have not been delivered to Venezuela due to the U.S. embargo.

Surveillance radars, AK-103s and helicopters: Mi-17, Mi-26 and Mi-35

Venezuela in 2005 acquired 3 JYL-1 long range 3D surveillance radars from China at a cost of $150 million. The 3 JYL-1s, which are truck mounted, were all delivered by 2007.

Also that year, Venezuela bought 51 military helicopters from Russia, by 2008 all 51 had been delivered to the Venezuelan armed forces, the helicopters acquired were: 40 Mi-17, 3 Mi-26 and 8 Mi-35. Then in 2006 the country purchased 100,000 Russian AK-103 assault rifles, all delivered in that same year. Chavez also claimed to have acquired a license to manufacture Kalashnikovs in Venezuela, but the factory hasn't yet been built.

Su-30s and missiles

In 2006 Venezuela purchased 24 Su-30MK jet fighters also from Russia, all delivered by 2008. In order to equip those fighters the country bought a large assortment of missiles, it is estimated that Venezuela acquired: 200 laser-guided bombs types KAB-500 and KAB-1500, 50 Kh-29 air-to-surface missiles, 50 Kh-31A1 anti-ship missiles, 50 Kh-59ME TV-guided cruise missiles, 100 Vympel R-27 medium-range air-to-air missiles and 150 Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles.

Night vision equipment, sniper rifles and submarines

In 2007, the Belarussian military optics industry agreed to supply the Venezuelan army with night vision devices, and install on, as Hugo Chavez described, "every single rifle in the Venezuelan army." The deal is valued at $3–$24 million. Later that year, Chavez announced plans to purchase of 5,000 Dragunov sniper rifles from the Russian Rosoboronexport, adding that Venezuela must ready itself for a "possible U.S. invasion." It is not clear whether that deal was completed. In all, from 2005 to 2007 Venezuela purchased more than $4.4 billion in weapons from Russia.

After signing an "initial contract", Venezuela was expected in June 2007 to finalize the acquisition of five diesel Project 636 Kilo class submarines, and at a later date finalize the acquisition of four diesel Project 677 Amur class submarines. In spite of the expectations, Chavez didn't sign the deal. Ten months later in April 2008, Venezuela decided to negotiate with Russia a loan of about $800 million for the acquisition of 4 diesel Project 636 Kilo class submarines. During that time Venezuela was also considering the purchase of 12 Il-76 transport aircraft. The submarines plus the aircraft were going to cost a total of $1.5 billion. However, this acquisition deal wasn't completed either. The negotiations for the purchase of the submarines broke down and 6 submarines that were once planned for Venezuela are now being offered to Vietnam.

Russian loans and the Chinese K-8W light jet

In September 2008, Russia provided Venezuela with a $1 billion loan to buy Russian weapons. A Kremlin source said "The Russian side has made the decision to extend to Venezuela a $1 billion loan for a military cooperation program." There is a lot of speculation about which weapons will be bought with that loan. Venezuela has shown interest on the following weapons: TOR-M1 SAM systems, T-72 tanks, Su-35 jet fighters and Il-76 military cargo aircraft. Despite of the interest and the Russian credit line, no deal has been finalized. In October 2008 Rosoboronexport informed that Venezuela was close to buying among other things a "large shipment of BMP-3" infantry fighting vehicles, however that deal too wasn't finalized.

Also in September Chavez confirmed that Venezuela purchased 24 K-8 Karakorum trainer jets from China. The deal, which is estimated to be worth between $72–$84 million, was the biggest Venezuelan arms deal of 2008.

On the 21 of July 2010, one Chinese K-8 light jet went down. Pilot and assistant ejected.

Venezuela has acquired an undisclosed number of SA-24 Igla-S man-portable surface to air missiles. The SA-24 Igla-S is the most advanced version built in Russia. This acquisition was only confirmed after 50 SA-24 Igla-S were paraded by soldiers in Caracas in April 2009. In reaction to the acquisition the US State Department declared: "We are concerned about Venezuelan arms purchases that exceed its needs and are therefore potentially destabilizing".

In September 2009 Russia agreed to loan Venezuela over $2 billion to finance the purchase of weapons including tanks and advanced anti-aircraft missiles. It was stated that because of lower crude prices, the country needed to borrow the money for defence spending to avoid cuts in education and health. The deal includes orders for 92 T-72 tanks and the Buk-M2, S-125 Neva/Pechora missile system and S-300 air-defence systems and also the BM-30 Smerch rocket artillery system. President Hugo Chavez stated that "Venezuela has no plans to invade anybody, or to be aggressive towards anybody," and "with these rockets it's going to be very difficult for foreign planes to come and bomb us". Chavez repeated Venezuela's commitment to developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes with the help of Russia and reiterated his strong opposition to nuclear weapons.

Signed contract with China for 500 million dollars, to provide Venezuelan Marine Corps

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says his government will buy amphibious tanks from China for its military. Chavez isn't saying how many of the armored vehicles Venezuela intends to buy, but says the deal signed Tuesday calls for a Chinese company to begin delivering the tanks next year. He announced the deal in a speech to troops, saying the $500 million cost will be financed through loans that China has offered Venezuela in exchange for oil shipments.

The Russian Federation gives new credit and Venezuelan Government shows interest in the Su-35

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he is interested in buying Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighter jets from Russia to enhance his country’s defense capabilities. “I have already sent a statement to the government of Russia that we are ready to consider buying in the next few years Su-35 fighters to modernize and enhance our defense powers” Venezuela’s national radio quoted Chavez as saying.

Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement on a $4 billion loan for the oil-rich Latin American partner to buy Russian weaponry. “Two billion will be provided next year and another two billion in 2013” Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said.

Controversy with the United States

These acquisitions and other projects have been greeted with criticism from the United States, which opposes the government of President Hugo Chávez. The U.S. accuses Venezuela of starting an arms race, which they claim will destabilize the military equilibrium in South America. Venezuela is also accused of supplying small arms to neighboring Colombian guerrilla organizations including FARC, which is sympathetic to Chávez.

United States criticism is met with skepticism by Venezuelan authorities, who claim the weapons are needed to update the basic equipment in the armed forces. In some cases, Venezuelan armaments like the FN FAL have been in service more than 50 years. The government also claims that the U.S. has been the one to initiate arms races and de-stabilize countries by supplying subversive groups in Latin America throughout the past century (referring to the 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état during the Cold War, and the contra affair, among numerous other incidents).

In the 1990s Venezuela requested a batch of F-16C/Ds to update its F-16 fighter fleet, but the U.S. government blocked the request. In October 1997 the U.S. government approved the sale of the two crash replacement F-16s, but subsequently halted the sale. In 2005 a contract with Israel Aircraft Industries to upgrade Venezuela's F-16s was frozen following U.S. pressure. Chavez subsequently accused the U.S. of delaying the sale of spare parts to maintain Venezuela’s F-16s. After remarks by Chavez that he would sell or lend the 'unused' F-16's to any country that wanted them, including Iran, the U.S. Government agreed to supply the spare parts; however, the shipment was detained at the Customs Office in Maiquetia International Airport due to security concerns.

U.S. military embargo

In May 2006, the government of the United States announced an embargo of military material and equipment to Venezuela; no American-made weapons or technology can be sold to Venezuela by any country or company. This embargo has harmed several Venezuelan purchases, as not only are U.S. technology goods unavailable, but other nations friendly to the U.S. have been pressured to block sales of arms to Venezuela, as well. This is also considered one of the reasons Venezuela has turned to Russia and China for arms, in a move reminiscent of the Cold War.

In 2005 Venezuela signed agreements with Spain to procure 12 naval transport and reconnaissance aircraft and eight naval patrol vessels. The deal is worth $1.5-2 billion dollars to the Spanish defense industry, as well as an estimated 900 new jobs, but was cancelled due to the U.S. embargo. The cancellation does not affect the eight naval patrol vessels.

Below is a list of acquisitions frustrated directly or indirectly by the U.S. embargo:

• Aero L-159 Alca Jets from the Czech Republic: the Czech government forbade Aero Vodochody, the manufacturer, from creating a variant with French avionics and Ukrainian engines, specially requested by Venezuela.
• Saab AB, a Swedish arms company announced it would honor the U.S. embargo, and would not sell arms to Venezuela. Carl Gustav recoilless rifles, AT4 AT weapons, as well as RBS-70 AA systems are in service in the Venezuelan military.
• Spanish company EADS CASA halted the sale of several transport planes that contained extensive U.S. technology.
• Brazil was forced to cancel the sale of Embraer Super Tucano airplanes to the Venezuelan Air Force due to its use of Pratt & Whitney engines. Embraer was also forced to cancel the sale of AEW&C equipped planes.
• France decided to block the sale of Scorpène class submarines to Venezuela.
• Russian companies Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi have been sanctioned by the U.S. government for procuring arms for Venezuela.

The Russian Federation has broken the U.S. embargo

However, the Russian Federation has continued sending arms to Venezuela despite the US embargo. Russia has agreed to sell more than $4 billion (£2 billion) worth of armaments to Venezuela since 2005 and disclosed that Mr Chávez wanted new antiaircraft systems and more fighter jets.

Caracas acknowledges problems with Iran by U.S. embargo

The Venezuela President, Hugo Chávez, acknowledged that the joint production between his country and Iran cars, has been affected by the embargo that United States keeps on the Islamic country.

Defense Minister Spanish, defends arms sales to Venezuela

Minister of the Defence of the Kingdom of Spain, defends himself against the Spanish Parliament, the sale of weapons to Venezuela. The Minister of defence, Pedro Morenes, has defended the sale of military equipment to Venezuela, and reported that a delegation from the public company Navantia has traveled to the capital of the country, Caracas, to try to sell new products to the Government of Hugo Chávez. Morenes has made these statements during his speech at the plenary session of the Congress to reply to an interpellation by the spokesman for Izquierda Unida, Jose Luis Centella, on the Ministry of defence plans for the coming years and the Spanish missions abroad.

Role of the military in Venezuelan politics

“Venezuela was born in a bivouac” Simón Bolívar

The armed forces has a leading role in Venezuelan politics, since the creation of the Gran Colombia. Once the Republican stage, occurred mostly Governments autocratic, military all; until the middle of the 20th century.

Currently, this influence is maintained, because the President and much of the Ministers and senior public officials, come from the military ranks. Today, Venezuelan society perceives that the military are good stewards, although there is criticism on their participation in political affairs.

One of the advances achieved in the new Bolivarian Constitution of 1999, was to allow the military activity situation to vote in the elections, without major trauma. Right enshrined in article 64 of the said Constitution.

Venezuelan military coup d'états

Multiple coups d ' état ensued until the recent past.

• June 1835 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt (Revolución de las Reformas)
• March 1858 Venezuelan coup d'état (Revolución de Marzo)
• May 1899 Venezuelan coup d'état (Revolución Liberal Restauradora)
• December 1908 Venezuelan coup d'état
• October 1945 Venezuelan coup d'état
• November 1948 Venezuelan coup d'état
• January 1958 Venezuelan coup d'état
• May 1962 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt (El Carupanazo)
• June 1962 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt (El Porteñazo)
• February 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt (Army´s movement)
• November 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt (Air Force´s movement)
• November 1993 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts (Navy´s movement)
• April 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt

However, President Hugo Chávez, believes that it has passed the stage of coups d' état and new uprisings are unlikely. Likewise the President asserted the popular nature of the coup d ' état of February 4, 1992: “As Simon Bolivar said: Venezuela was born in a bivouac; that is to say, Venezuela was born among soldiers. Nineteen years ago Venezuela was dying, but we can say today that on February 4 it resurrected, it was brought back to life among soldiers and will stay alive in the barracks and streets” Chavez said. The Vice-President Elias Jaua, pointed out that the FANB have proven their essence, joining the people in the most difficult situations, such as the coups d' état of April 2002.

Political ideology

Today the FANB is considered openly: anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, and defends their status as socialist and bolivarian.

Criticism

Some organizations (national and international) have questioned the level of politicism and influence of the FANB in national political affairs.

Role in Venezuelan society

“The people are like water and the army is like fish” Mao Zedong

The President has used this quote from Mao Zedong to explain and justify the participation of the FANB, in the work of national development. While the former armed force of Venezuela, always collaborated with the development of the country, also is true that from year 1999 here, that contribution and interaction with the country, has been carried very high levels. In fact, was created a national development program, using the capacities of the FANB: the Plan Bolívar 2000; and who directs the one called: Gran Misión “Vivienda Venezuela” the Defense Minister of the day, this program consists of the mass manufacture of housing. The Minister of defence, general-in-chief Rangel Silva, confirmed the commitment of the FANB as an institution that is convinced that support for the national development is critical in each of the missions.

President Hugo Chavez justified the participation of the FANB in national development efforts.

An element associated with this interaction with the Venezuelan society that has the FANB, is that Venezuelan society is considered to be the most patriotic second in the world, second only to US.

Humanitarian relief

The tragedy of Vargas in December 1999, brought with it several lessons, that the Government knew how to assimilate, one of them was the quick action of the FANB to assist populations in danger, and the reconstruction of devastated areas. Since then, Venezuela through the FANB, participated in numerous actions of humanitarian assistance, in several countries of the world.

• Humanitarian International Brigade "Simón Bolívar"

It is a unit created in order to attend immediately to populations affected by natural calamities, both nationally and internationally. Task forces of this unit have provided support to countries like Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, Haiti, Mali, among others.

• Battalion 51 "Dra. Migledys Campos Goatache"

It is a unit of civilian and military doctors who assists medical in remote areas of national and international geography. Between international actions that this unit has had civic-military, this medical assistance to the people of Haiti.

Military industry

Venezuela currently shows an industrial development in the defence, that sector still far from compared to countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Colombia or Mexico in the region, if it has meant a noticeable advance respect to the last decade of the 20th century Venezuelan. In the opinion of Francisco Arias Cardenas (ex - presidential candidate; ex - Deputy; and current candidate for the governorship of Zulia State, by the ruling party PSUV): "in the 13 years of management of the current Government, has been to force armed, having the autonomy that lacked in the Fourth Republic, when transnational corporations controlled the military sector of the country (...)" "This advance of the Venezuelan military industry gives us a range of greater encouragement, that is what we need, and the possibility of applying our inventiveness to the development of technologies that give us genuine autonomy to defend our territory."

Today Venezuela manufactures all-terrain vehicles, trucks, ammunition, rifles, aircraft without crew, grenades, assembled ships of small and medium-sized ports among other items.

IBIDIFANB

IBIDIFANB (Instituto Bolivariano de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación de la Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana), shall develop all projects that have much impact in what is maintain operational sizing in the FANB, maintain equipment and also has the possibility of supporting the national development with the generation of some research projects, some technological lines can do good for the people of Venezuela

CAVIM

CAVIM (C.A. Venezolana de Industrias Militares), company dependent of the Ministry of the defence of Venezuela, with more than 35 years of experience, dedicated to the production of weapons, explosive munitions as well as also various products that are of interest to the defense of our country. Currently demonstrated capabilities in the development and production of rifles, grenades, shotguns, unmanned aircraft, explosives for industrial use, ammunition, bulletproof vests, helmets kevlar, among other products, weapons, logistics various utensils. CAVIM It puts forward a project for the identification of munitions delivered to the defence and the country's security agency. On January 2011, an explosion of unidentified causes and the subsequent fire scorched five CAVIM arms and ammunition depots in the state of Aragua, leading to one official fatality and nearly 10,000 people being evacuated. On February 12, 2013, the United States Government sanctioned Venezuela's Military Industries Company (CAVIM), as well as other 12 foreign companies, including four Chinese firms, for the sale of arms and military technology to Iran, North Korea or Syria.

DIANCA

DIANCA (Diques y Astilleros Nacionales C.A.), is the state shipyard of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. It was created in 1905 in the city of Puerto Cabello, Carabobo state.

UCOCAR

UCOCAR (Unidad Naval Coordinadora de los Servicios de Carenado de la Armada), It is responsible for the repair, maintenance and construction of ships, equipment, systems, helmet and structures up to 1,000 tonnes, in support of the Bolivarian national army force, public bodies and private. Several boats have been designed, and have an agreement with the Dutch shipyards Damen, to assemble some ships to the Venezuelan Navy.

CIDAE

CIDAE (Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Aeronáutico). This scientific Center is making helmets for pilots, There have been upgrades of radar, and is involved with CAVIM, in the development of unmanned aircraft among other developments. Also this research center this trying time of short-range, solid fuel rockets. Likewise, the CIDAE has designed and built a Flight Simulator for the T-27 Tucano aircraft, as well as a simulator of flight to aircraft Cessna 208 Caravan, shooting simulators, and the recovery of the test benches of PT6 engines, with 80% of Venezuelan technology, not only in the design but in the software installation and the use of materials. CIDAE participa en el proyecto del satélite Simón Bolívar con China.

ASTIMARCA

ASTIMARCA (Astilleros de Maracaibo y el Caribe S.A.). As part of the agreements between the Governments of Cuba and Venezuela, there is this joint venture. It's a shipyard overhaul, for small and medium-size vessels.

CENARECA

CENARECA (Centro Nacional de Repotenciación C.A.), is the manufacturer of the vehicle family all-terrain and high mobility (HMMWV) Tiuna, manufactured in serious to the Venezuelan armed forces, and donated in small quantities to Governments of the ALBA as Ecuador, Nicaragua and Bolivia.

MAZVEN

MAZVEN C.A., it is a factory of heavy trucks, under the figure of a joint venture with the Belarusian company MAZ. It manufactures five models of trucks including trucks for military use.

G&F Tecnología

G&F Tecnología, It is a Venezuelan company that develops an endogenous model of architecture technology oriented solutions derived from the design, development, implementation and operation of projects of telecommunications, information, aeronautics and electronics with increasing added value of applied knowledge. Specifically is a company manufacturer of unmanned aircraft, as well as communication equipment, and other electronic product.

References

1. ^ "Venezuela aprueba un presupuesto de Defensa de 4.508 billones de dólares".
2. "CIA - The World Factbook -- Venezuela". Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
3. http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2012/02/23/venezuela-ensamblara-camiones-militares-marca-maz-de-origen-bielorruso/
4. http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2012/02/24/ucocar-ensamblara-siete-patrulleros-para-la-armada-venezolana/
5. http://www.gyftecnologia.com/productos.html
6. ^ http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2011/10/05/compras-por-15-000-millones-el-plan-de-reequipamiento-de-la-fuerza-armada-nacional/
7. http://www.rnv.gob.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=31&t=189620
8. http://www.advantageaustria.org/ve/oesterreich-in-venezuela/news/lokal/diamond-aircraft.es.html
9. http://www.fav-club.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77%3Amilkor-mgl-mk1s&catid=11%3Aarmas-ejercito&Itemid=14
10. http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=670&Itemid=245
11. http://www.infodefensa.com/?noticia=las-armadas-de-cuba-y-venezuela-refuerzan-su-cooperacion-tecnico-militar
12. http://eltiempo.com.ve/mundo/negocios/astilleros-en-cuba-terminan-primero-de-cuatro-buques-para-armada-venezolana/20617
13. http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2012/03/16/entregan-a-la-armada-de-venezuela-primer-buque-de-carga-multiproposito-fabricado-en-cuba/
14. http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2012/09/20/entregados-vehiculos-y-material-logistico-a-la-fuerza-armada-nacional-bolivariana
15. http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/equipados-componentes-fanb-2031-veh%C3%ADculos-tiuna-y-multiprop%C3%B3sito
16. http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/nacionales/venezuela-y-argentina-firmaran-acuerdo-para-defensa
17. http://www.telesurtv.net/articulos/2012/07/13/venezuela-y-argnetina-firmas-acuerdo-de-integracion-de-las-fuerzas-armadas-de-ambos-paises-2756.html
18. http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/industria-y-tecnologia/item/882-la-unasur-avanza-en-el-proyecto-del-primer-avi%C3%B3n-de-entrenamiento-primario-b%C3%A1sico.html?tmpl=component&print=1
19. http://www.telesurtv.net/articulos/2012/05/31/paises-de-unasur-desarrollan-proyecto-de-construccion-de-avion-militar-8125.html
20. http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2012/09/21/argentina-y-venezuela-revisan-cooperacion-militar-y-analizan-proyecto-avion-unasur
21. http://favclub.powweb.com/blog/2012/09/20/entregados-vehiculos-y-material-logistico-a-la-fuerza-armada-nacional-bolivariana
22. http://www.asambleanacional.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41487%3Amata-figueroa-la-fanb-posee-una-doctrina-propia-en-beneficio-del-pueblo-&catid=333%3Agenerales&Itemid=248&lang=es
23. http://www.ejercito.mil.ve/documentos/constitucion.pdf
24. http://www.ejercito.mil.ve/documentos/lofan.pdf
25. https://twitter.com/VICEDUFANB
26. ^ http://www.tsj.gov.ve/gaceta/Julio/2372012/2372012-3481.pdf#page=3
27. http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/vicedudef
28. ^ http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=653&Itemid=245
29. http://www.aviacion.mil.ve/modules/news/article.php?storyid=497
30. http://www.congefan.mil.ve
31. https://twitter.com/CONGEFANB
32. http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/CCSEDE
33. https://twitter.com/ccsede
34. http://www.daex.mil.ve/
35. https://twitter.com/daex_mil_ve
36. http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Soc/soc.culture.venezuela/2010-07/msg00162.html
37. http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/n120600.html
38. http://www.asambleanacional.gov.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29561%3Anecesitamos-resucitar-al-primero-de-los-fundadores-de-la-patria-en-las-generaciones-actuales&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=246&lang=es
39. http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/25801/general-gonzalez-es-el-nuevo-general-en-jefe-de-venezuela/
40. https://twitter.com/REDICentralCEO
41. ^ http://www.tsj.gov.ve/gaceta/Julio/2572012/2572012-3482.pdf#page=20
42. https://twitter.com/redioccidental
43. http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/nacionales/designado-general-celso-canelones-al-frente-region-occidental-defensa-integral/
44. ^ http://www.avn.info.ve/node/123958
45. https://twitter.com/REDIORIENTAL
46. ^ http://www.notitarde.com/notitarde/plantillas/notitarde/inota.aspx?idart=1544051&idcat=9844&tipo=2
47. https://twitter.com/Redimain
48. http://www.ciudadccs.info/?p=307999
49. http://eltiempo.com.ve/venezuela/gobierno/presidente-designa-nuevo-comandante-de-la-guardia-nacional-bolivariana/41399
50. ^ http://www.vtv.gov.ve/index.php/nacionales/73672-designado-wilfredo-figueroa-chacin-como-director-de-la-dim
51. http://www.asambleanacional.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=387&Itemid=184&lang=es
52. http://www.infodefensa.com/?noticia=venezuela-aprueba-un-presupuesto-de-defensa-de-4-508-millones-de-dolares
53. http://www.abn.info.ve/leyes_habilitantes/Ley_Organica_Fuerza_Armada_Nacional_Bolivariana.pdf
54. http://www.umbv.edu.ve
55. http://www.iaeden.edu.ve
56. ^ http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/inclusi%C3%B3n-mujer-venezolana-es-promovida-fanb
57. http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/entrevistas/cultura-machista-no-existe-dentro-fanb
58. http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/n97421.html
59. http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/?act=ST&f=2&t=49013
60. http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/entrevistas/cultura-machista-no-existe-dentro-fanb/
61. http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/confieren-grado-de-generala-de-brigada-del-ejercit.aspx
62. http://www.abn.info.ve/noticia.php?articulo=209254&lee=2
63. http://www.aviacion.mil.ve/modules/news/article.php?storyid=347
64. http://www.notitarde.com/notitarde/plantillas/nota.aspx?idart=1183422&idcat=9844&tipo=2
65. ^ http://armstrade.sipri.org/arms_trade/trade_register.php
66. ^ http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20090427/121322702.html
67. G1 > Mundo - NOTÍCIAS - 'Gringo que se meter por aqui, 'pum'!', afirma Chávez
68. ^ Toothaker, Christopher (18 June 2006). "Chavez Kalashnikov Factory Plan Stirs Fear". The Washington Post. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
69. "Venezuela's Chavez to buy jets during Russia visit - report". Forbes. 21 July 2008.
70. http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/05/13-6
71. http://www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews/032007/152.html
72. G1 > Mundo - NOTÍCIAS - 'Gringo que se meter por aqui, 'pum'!', afirma Chávez
73. http://en.rian.ru/world/20081107/118181084.html
74. "Medvedev, Chavez Sign Oil Agreements Before War Games (Update2)". Bloomberg. 27 November 2008.
75. Harding, Luke (15 June 2007). "Venezuela strikes £500m deal to buy Russian submarines". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
76. ^ http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080404/103471739.html
77. http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Vietnam-Reportedly-Set-to-Buy-Russian-Kilo-Class-Subs-05396/
78. "Russia to build six submarines for Vietnam: Report". The Times Of India. 27 April 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
79. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080925/117104766.html
80. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081015/117751009.html
81. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080921230912.0dszz961&show_article=1
82. "Venezuela expects first Chinese planes in 2009-Chavez". Forbes. 25 September 2008.
83. "Venezuela freezes relations with Colombia - CNN.com". CNN. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
84. ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/1073994.html
85. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/09/200991493243497426.html
86. http://www.defence.pk/forums/chinese-defence/192307-chavez-venezuela-buy-tanks-china.html
87. http://www.9abc.net/index.php/archives/81798
88. http://en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120719/174673843.html
89. http://en.ria.ru/world/20111007/167461572.html
90. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/031006/6venezuela_3.htm
91. Daniels, Alfonso (24 January 2005). "Chávez 'funding turmoil across Bolivia'". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
92. AirToAirCombat.Com: F-16C Fighting Falcon LockheedMartin F-16 Origins
93. F-16 Air Forces - Venezuela
94. US Roadblocks re: the Venezuela-Israel F-16 Upgrade: Politics or Protectionism?
95. World/ReadArticle.Asp | 15 August 2007 | Global News For The Digital World
97. EEUU decreta un embargo de armas contra Venezuela
98. http://www.alianzabolivariana.org/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=1009
99. www.fav-club.com
100. http://america.infobae.com/notas/31613-Venezuela-comprara-mas-armas-a-Rusia
101. http://www.aporrea.org/internacionales/n78726.html
102. http://rusiahoy.com/articles/2012/05/19/venezuela_continuan_equipandose_con_armamento_ruso_17195.html
103. 23 September 2008 | Russia engages in 'gangland' diplomacy as it sends warship to the Caribbean | TimesOnline
104. http://www.cooperativa.cl/prontus_nots/site/artic/20120205/pags/20120205120537.html
105. http://www.infodefensa.com/cache_noticias/mor/morenes-defiende-en-el-congreso-la-venta-de-material-de-defensa-a-venezuela.html
106. ^ http://www.avn.info.ve/node/41779
107. http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/fanb-have-developed-revolution-its-potential-defense-homeland
108. http://www.rnv.gob.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=31&t=156997
109. http://www.ateneadigital.es/RevistaAtenea/REVISTA/articulos/GestionNoticias_1637_ESP.asp
110. http://informe21.com/control-ciudadano/rocio-san-miguel-partidos-deben-investigar-politizacion-fuerza-armada-nacional
111. http://www.famousquotes.com/show/1064415
112. http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=591&Itemid=245
113. http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=591&Itemid=245
114. http://radiomundial.com.ve/article/fanb-debe-incorporarse-las-tareas-estrat%C3%A9gicas-de-desarrollo-nacional
115. http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/02/world-national-pride-oped-cx_sp_0701patriot_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=20000
116. http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/?act=ST&f=3&t=16294
117. http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/n114531.html
118. http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/14488/venezuela-y-bolivia-firmaron-un-acuerdo-de-cooperacion-militar
119. http://www.cubaenelmundo.com/Noticias/notic16.htm
120. http://www.abn.info.ve/noticia.php?articulo=221091&lee=16
121. http://www.abn.info.ve/noticia.php?articulo=221092&lee=16
122. http://www.alianzabolivariana.org/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=5908
123. http://aperturaven.blogspot.com/2011/04/las-casas-bolivarianas-de-mali.html
124. http://www.fonpyme.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=242:batallon-51-lo-conforman-783-medicas-y-medicos-liberadores-&catid=55:prensa-presidencial
125. http://www.aporrea.org/ideologia/a62254.html
126. http://www.aporrea.org/misiones/n101788.html
127. http://www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve/multipolaridad/heroes-batallon-51-llevan-esperanza-a-haiti
128. http://www.vtv.gov.ve/index.php/nacionales/83557-arias-cardenas-destaco-independencia-lograda-por-la-fanb-en-los-ultimos-13-anos
129. http://www.mindefensa.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=583&Itemid=245
130. http://www.cavim.com.ve
131. http://www.mercadodedinerove.com/Actualidad/venezuela-culmina-ensamblaje-de-fusiles-rusos-construye-avion-no-tripulado.html
132. http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/pnb-recibir%C3%A1-municiones-cavim-c%C3%B3digo-que-identifica-al-organismo
133. http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/about-10000-people-preventively-evacuated-near-cavim
134. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/01/30/venezuela-explosions-rocked-the-maracay-night/
135. http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/130212/washington-imposes-sanctions-on-venezuelas-cavim-for-support-to-iran
136. http://www.dianca.gob.ve
137. http://www.ucocarastilleros.com.ve/ucocar.html
138. http://www.ucocarastilleros.com.ve/proyectos.html
139. http://www.venezueladefensa.com/2012/02/ucocar-ensamblara-siete-patrulleros.html
140. http://latinarmedforces.blogspot.com/2010/09/fuerza-aerea-venezolana-fabrica-cascos.html
141. http://www.tiempo.uc.edu.ve/tu719/paginas/8.htm
142. http://boletin.uc.edu.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48858:prueba-estatica-del-cohete-sonda-serie-ula-2-cidae-surco-la-independencia-tecnologica-&catid=7:investigaciones&Itemid=10
143. http://www.elaragueno.com.ve/nacionales/articulo/7520/aprobados-recursos-para-proyectos-de-impacto-socio-ambiental
144. http://www.mcti.gob.ve/Noticias/1639
145. http://www.aporrea.org/actualidad/n66405.html
146. http://poderiomilitar-jesus.blogspot.com/2012/04/cenareca-ur-53ar50-tiuna.html
147. http://www.corpivensa.gob.ve/?modulo=73
148. http://www.mcti.gob.ve/Industrias/Entes_Adscritos/MAZVEN
149. http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/planta-ensambladora-camiones-mazven-produce-5-modelos-sam%C3%A1n-y-mazparro
150. http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/mazven-fabricar%C3%A1-5000-camiones-a%C3%B1o
151. http://www.patriagrande.com.ve/temas/venezuela/revolucion-inaugura-fabrica-socialista-ensambladora-de-camiones-mazven
152. http://www.gyftecnologia.com

• http://www.globalfirepower.com/

External links

• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial del Ministerio del Poder Popular para Defensa de Venezuela
• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial del Ejército Libertador (Venezuela)
• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial de la Armada de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela
• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial de la Aviación Militar de Venezuela
• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial de la Guardia Nacional de Venezuela
• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial de la Aviación del Ejército de Venezuela
• Template:Es icon Sitio oficial de la Milicia Nacional de Venezuela
• Template:Es icon Sitio no oficial de la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela

v t e Armed Forces of Venezuela
Strategic Command Operations Venezuelan Army Navy of Venezuela Venezuelan Air Force Venezuelan National Guard Venezuelan National Militia

• Articles with dead external links from March 2008
• Use dmy dates from August 2010
• Military of Venezuela
• Conscript militaries
• Outdated articles/sources