An incendiary comment from Diosdado Cabello, a key figure in Chavismo, has sparked a storm within the Venezuelan military ranks. In one of his routine political shows, Cabello dropped a bombshell: the idea of “eliminating” traditional categories such as command officers. What the regime touts as a “modernization” of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) is, according to exclusive testimonies and historical documents, a master move to further politicize the military, prioritizing loyalty to the regime over professional merit. The result? A powder keg of discontent, distrust, and risks that could fracture the institution sustaining Chavismo.
Since Hugo Chávez came to power in 1999, the FANB has been molded in the image of the Bolivarian project. Terms like “Bolivarian” infiltrated the nomenclature, parallel structures were created, and politically aligned officers were promoted. The military’s role expanded beyond barracks: they seized control of ministries, state-owned companies, foreign currencies, and even basic services. According to former officials and journalistic analyses, this transformation was not accidental. It was a plan to redistribute power, resources, and weaponry in favor of those loyal to the regime. But at what cost?
The Spark: The Phrase that Infuriated Officers “That’s from command officers, but someday we’ll have to eliminate technical officers,” Cabello said at a public event. This statement, captured and circulated in barracks, landed like a missile among officers trained in military academies. For them, it was a direct hit to their career, prestige, and traditional hierarchy. “Consternation” and “deep unrest” are the terms used by internal sources to describe the atmosphere in the barracks. Why? Because they see this as a threat to their future and a devaluation of their professional training.
The Case that Set Off Alarm Bells: A “Technical” General
The rise of Fidel Ernesto Hernández Figueroa, an officer trained at a technical aviation school, to division general marked a controversial milestone: the first “technical general” of the FANB. This move, reported by local media, was seen as a clear signal: the regime is breaking traditional promotion rules, favoring those who do not necessarily have an elite military academy background. For many officials, this confirms that political loyalty outweighs combat experience or leadership skills.
Voices from Within: The Silenced Shout of the Officer Corps
Exclusive testimonies from active and retired officers reveal an alarming panorama:
- Abandoned Reserves: Officers in reserve, with solid training, face miserable pensions and zero social security. Marginalized, they see their years of service overlooked.
- Promotions for Loyalty: The general perception is that promotions no longer reward merit, but rather proximity to the Chavista leadership.
- Confused Roles: Civilians occupy positions with military overtones, while military personnel infiltrate public administration, creating a reward system for allies.
- Operational Tension: Changes in hierarchy, like subordinates command officers to technicians, have caused chaos in the chain of command, especially in aviation.
These are not isolated errors, sources assure. They are part of a deliberate plan to secure political control of the FANB, the pillar that keeps the regime in power. What’s at Stake? An Explosive Risk Extreme politicization of the FANB has serious consequences:
- Moral at Rock Bottom: Officers trained in academies see their career without a future, lacking clear rules or guarantees.
- Talent Drain: Many choose to desert, seek civilian paths, or exile themselves, leaving critical gaps in the institution.
- Operational Weakness: An armed force based on favors rather than professionalism is less reliable in a crisis and more prone to fractures.
- Repression or Collapse: If military loyalty wavers, the regime could lose its repressive machinery or, worse, fall into a spiral of corruption to maintain it.
Chavista Strategy: Divide, Reward, Control
The regime has perfected a lethal triad:
- Dividing the Military: Prevents professional officers from forming a cohesive block that could challenge power.
- Rewarding Loyalties: Uses civilian positions, contracts, and resources to buy fidelity.
- Mask of Institutionalism: Promotions and “Bolivarian” titles disguise a reconfiguration that prioritizes political control over operational capacity.
This pattern not only affects the military: it jeopardizes national security and the stability of the entire region.
The Defense of the Regime: Modernization or Smokescreen? Chavismo responds with three arguments:
- Necessary Modernization: Changes are to adapt to “new technical needs.”
- Democratization: Equalizing technicians and command officers “opens opportunities.”
- External Conspiracies: Critiques are attacks from “counterrevolutionary” enemies.
However, internal sources and the regime’s history suggest these are excuses for consolidating control and silencing discontent.
Future Scenarios: Continuation or Chaos?
- Controlled Continuation: The regime continues buying loyalty with promotions and resources, maintaining a weakened but functional FANB.
- Limited Fracture: Discontent grows, with local protests or disobedience in lower ranks, eroding operational capacity.
- Major Break: A crisis in high command, combined with civil pressure and international sanctions, could trigger institutional collapse.
Sources estimate that the first two scenarios are the most likely in the short term, but the third isn’t impossible if conditions align.
Urgent Call: Where Are We Headed?
Cabello’s comment isn’t a slip-up: it’s the tip of the iceberg of a strategy that has been eroding the FANB for years. Politicization, promotions for loyalty, and neglect of reservists have created a ticking time bomb. For any future democratic transition, it will be crucial:
- Depoliticize the FANB: Restore merit and professionalism.
- Repair Active Reserves: Ensure dignified pensions and social security.
- Regain Citizen Trust: An Armed Force serving the country, not a regime.