An effective restructuring of the defense sector in Venezuela will not be possible without an absolute eradication of corruption and a process aimed at improving operational efficiency. This must be accompanied by a modernization of training and maintenance centers to ensure an adequate operational readiness.
Military sources told Venezuela Política that it is necessary to divide the Ministry of Defense into three strategic areas to promote greater participation and oversight of civilian professionals in administrative tasks.
Additionally, our sources propose merging intelligence and security agencies to more effectively combat organized crime and drug trafficking. They also suggest reorganizing the military forces into six military regions and twenty-seven military zones to optimize the deployment of tactical units according to the real threats of each area.
The Proposal for Restructuring the Defense Sector in Venezuela
The proposal for restructuring the defense sector in Venezuela, presented by military sources from Venezuela Política, involves an integral reform of the Ministry of Defense and the Operational General Staff.
The proposed reconfiguration aims to dismantle the current structure, which is complex, dysfunctional, and deviated from its constitutional purposes, transitioning toward a modern, efficient model with civilian control.
It is deemed imperative to undertake a structural reform due to the unconstitutional use of military institutions for political, economic, and criminal purposes that were imposed during the Chávez era.
The plan is articulated around three strategic pillars:
- Superior Administrative Body,
- Operational General Staff (EMO), and
- A set of Defense and Security Agencies.
Moreover, the fundamental changes include:
Civil Control: The Ministry of Defense should be led by a civilian, with deputy ministers occupied by civilian defense experts.
Territorial Consolidation: Reduction from 8 Strategic Regions (REDI) to 6 Military Regions (RM) and from 29 Operational Zones (ZODI) to 27 Military Zones (ZM).
Intelligence Fusion: Unification of SEBIN and DGCIM into a single National Intelligence Agency.
Operational Focus: Reorienting units toward combating transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and border protection, eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic structures.
New Structure of the Ministry of Defense
The proposal suggests that the Ministry of Defense be led by a civilian head accountable to the Executive Power.
The organization will be divided into three areas of strategic interest:
Superior Administrative Body responsible for resource management and planning. Key positions will be filled by civilians with military assistants (generals or admirals).
Deputy Ministries: Administrative Services (personnel, education, logistics), Military Planning, and Military Industrial Development.
Control Bodies: General Auditing of the FAN, General Inspection of the FAN, and the Military Justice System (Courts, Martial Court, Prosecutor’s Office, and Defense Office).
Operational General Staff (EMO), replacing the previous CEOFANB, will be in charge of military command and control, as well as advising the minister and the president of the republic.
Positions will be military with civilian and parliamentary assistants.
Leadership: An oldest general or admiral.
Joint Secretariats: Including areas such as personnel, logistics, operations, intelligence, operational readiness, internal order, aerospace defense, communications, arms, and administration.
The proposed Defense and Security Agencies are specialized structures comprised of expert civilian and military personnel:
National Intelligence Agency: Merger of SEBIN and DGCIM.
National Anti-Transnational Organized Crime Agency: Merger of the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command of the Bolivarian National Guard (CONAS) and the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the PNB.
National Anti-Drug Agency: Absorption of the National Anti-Drug Superintendent (SUNAD) for the execution of anti-narcotics policies.
National Cybersecurity Agency.
Territorial and Operational Reorganization
The plan for restructuring the defense sector in Venezuela proposes administrative and operational simplification to optimize financial, logistical, and human resources.
The character of these regions will be administrative, supervisory, and inspection.
Command LevelOld StructureNew ProposalResponsibleRegional8 REDI6 Military Regions (RM)General/Admiral most senior in the region.State29 ZODI27 Military Zones (ZM)General/Admiral most senior in the state.
Strategic Employment Components and Units
It is essential to review, merge, or eliminate units from the four components (Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard) to align them with the country’s real needs.
Each region should contain:
- Aerospace Defense Brigades.
- Army Brigades (Weapons/Services).
- National Guard Zone Commands (CZGN).
- Special Forces Units (FFEE).
- Naval Infantry and Coast Guards.
- Air and Naval Bases.
- Engineer Brigades and Logistical Support.
Strategic Deployment by Military Regions
Another proposed change establishes six Military Regions, along with their critical missions:
RM-1 West (Headquarters: Zulia)
Includes Zulia, Lara, Falcón, and Portuguesa.
Critical Missions: To combat transnational criminal organizations in the Sierra de Perijá, Guajira, and border areas.
Highlighted Units: 11th Armored Brigade, 19th Aerospace Defense Brigade, 992nd Special Forces Battalion (South of the Lake).
Infrastructure: Rafael Urdaneta Air Base (BARU) and the Russian Helicopter Maintenance Center (CEMAREH) in Portuguesa.
RM-2 Andes (Headquarters: Táchira)
Includes Táchira, Mérida, Trujillo, and Barinas.
Critical Missions: Combat crime in Orope, La Fría, and Ureña. Strengthening Rural Commands in oil development areas (Trujillo) and rural areas (Barinas).
Highlighted Units: 21st and 25th Infantry Brigades, 62nd Combat Engineers Brigade.
RM-3 Central-Plains (Headquarters: Guárico)
Includes Apure, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Cojedes, and Guárico.
Critical Missions: Border control in Apure (El Nula, Guasdualito) and combatting organized crime in the central plains.
Highlighted Units: 6th Riverine Marine Infantry Brigade, 41st Armored Brigade (Carabobo), 993rd Special Forces Battalion.
Maintenance: Armored Vehicle Maintenance Center (CEMANBLIN) in Carabobo.
RM-4 Capital (Headquarters: Capital District)
Includes Capital District, La Guaira, Aragua, and Miranda.
Critical Missions: Urban security, aerospace defense of the capital, and coastal control in Aragua and Miranda.
Highlighted Units: 31st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 42nd Paratrooper Brigade (Aragua), 8th Maritime Command Brigade (Turiamo).
Specialization: Special Forces Training Center in Macarao (urban areas) and Turiamo (coastal areas).
RM-5 Eastern (Headquarters: Anzoátegui)
Includes Monagas, Anzoátegui, Sucre, and Nueva Esparta.
Critical Missions: Control of the Atlantic Zone and fight against trafficking in coastal areas of Sucre (Güiria, Río Caribe).
Highlighted Units: 59th Anti-Aircraft Defense Brigade, 79th Maritime Aerospace Defense Brigade, Naval Special Forces Battalion in Carúpano.
RM-6 Guayana (Headquarters: Bolívar)
Includes Delta Amacuro, Bolívar, and Amazonas.
Critical Missions: Combatting illegal mineral extraction and transnational organizations in jungle areas.
Highlighted Units: 51st, 52nd, and 53rd Jungle Infantry Brigades, 94th Special Brigade (Bolívar).
Adjustments: Elimination of CZGN-64 Guayana Esequiba and strengthening of Rural Commands.
Strengthening Technical and Logistical Capacities
Moreover, the restructuring of the defense sector in Venezuela proposes a robust training and maintenance system to reduce bureaucratic burdens and increase operability:
Academies and Training
Military Academies: Focused on commanding units.
Technical Academies: Creation of specialized centers in Technology, Health, Services, and Weapons to assimilate professional civilian personnel.
Troop Centers: Specialization in FF. EE. (Jungle, Urban, and Maritime Commands).
Maintenance Centers
Emphasizing the creation of regional centers to ensure technical autonomy:
Aerial and Naval Maintenance: Specialized centers by regions (e.g., UCOCAR in Puerto Cabello, SERMAERAMB in Aragua).
Individual Weapons: Creation of maintenance centers attached to Logistic Support Brigades for the census and actual repair of armaments.
Tactical Vehicles: Strengthening of CEMANBLIN and CEMANVEAD.
Mergers
Finally, the military source from Venezuela Política asserts that the current structure presents tactical and administrative units with scarce human resources and insufficient logistics, lacking motivation.
In this regard, it is proposed to eliminate or merge these non-functional units to constitute a modern armed force, aimed at achieving technical and operational results, under civilian supervision that ensures the nation advances according to the standards of developed countries.