Ministry of Defense (Venezuela)

The Venezuelan Ministry of People's Power for Defense (Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa) is the federal-level organization responsible for maintaining the Venezuelan armed forces. As of October 2014, this ministry is headed by General Vladimir Padrino López. The ministry coordinates numerous counter-narcotics operations (e.g., Operation Sierra through the CUFAN organ), helps perform various civil support and social development programs, and oversees the conventional military capabilities of Venezuela.

History

 * 1810 Established as War and Navy Bureau
 * 1863 Ministry of War
 * 1874 Ministry of War and Navy
 * 1946 Became Ministry of National Defense
 * 1951 Name amended to Ministry of Defense
 * 2007 Renamed Ministry of People's Power for Defense by presidential decree