Venezuelan Army

The Venezuelan Army, officially the Bolivarian Army of Venezuela (Ejército Bolivariano), is the land arm of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela. Also known as Bolivarian Army (Ejército Bolivariano, EB), its role is to be responsible for land-based operations against external or internal threats that may put the sovereignty of the nation at risk. The army is the second largest military branch of Venezuela after the Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana, MB).

Its current commander is Major General Domingo Antonio Hernández Lárez. The army depends directly on the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense, under the orders of the general commander and the president of the Republic in his position as commander in chief of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces. It is divided into six combat arms and four commands; operations, logistics, education and Army Aviation.

The command officers, troop officers, technicians and military surgeons belonging to the Venezuelan Army are graduates of the military academies of the Bolivarian Military University of Venezuela and are commissioned with the rank of Second Lieutenant, the academies are as follows:


 * Military Academy of the Bolivarian Army,
 * Military Academy of Troop Officers C-in-C Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías,
 * Bolivarian Military Technical Academy,
 * Military Academy of Health Sciences

Unlike most of the officer corps the sergeants (professional NCOs) and recruits completing basic training, as well as Army officer candidates of civilian background, study in separate schools.

The Venezuelan Army marks its birth by its victory in the Battle of Carabobo on 24 June 1821 over the Empire of Spain, which led to the independence of the nation. It later contributed to the independence of the present-day countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia.

Independence
With the beginning of the independence movement on 19 April 1810 and the subsequent war in the country, a military academy was created in 1810 by decree of the Supreme Board of Caracas for the training of officers for the Republican cause. The Royalist reaction was fast and by 1812 the First Republic was dissolved. A war to the death begun (guerra a muerte), with neither side giving quarter. On 11 April 1817, 1,800 Republicans under General Píer won a major victory against the Royalists at San Félix (southeast of Caracas), where the revolutionaries defeated 1,500 Royalists under General Nicolás María Cerruti. The Royalists suffered 593 dead and 497 captured, of whom 160 peninsulares (Spaniards born in the Iberian Peninsula). All of the Spaniards were decapitated. The Republicans lost 31 dead and 65 wounded.

The war continued until 1824 with successes and failures on each side. On 7 August 1819, the army of New Granada, under the command of the Liberator Simón Bolívar, defeats the Royalist troops under the command of General José María Barreiro in the Battle of Boyacá, being the first republic of the so-called Bolivarianas (Bolivarians) to obtain their independence of the Kingdom of Spain; a day that also celebrates the Colombian Army.

The liberating army, whose central nucleus are the infantry battalions of Rifles, Voltígeros, Vencedores, the British Legion, plus the contingents of the lancers Bravos de Apure of General José Antonio Páez, and whose contingents are made up mainly of Colombian-Venezuelan troops under the supreme leadership of Bolívar, are now waging the Venezuelan campaign as part of Gran Colombia. On 24 June 1821, the Republicans obtained a decisive victory over the Royalists in the battle at Campo de Carabobo, and today is celebrated as the day of the Venezuelan Army.

After the Battle of Carabobo, the remnants of the Royalist armies that managed to escape from the battlefield took refuge in Puerto Cabello, while in the east they did the same in Cumaná. Cumaná was taken shortly after by the Republicans, but the heavily fortified city of Puerto Cabello resisted under siege until 1823, during which time it served as the base for the Spanish reconquest of territories in western Venezuela.

Afterwards, these troops take part in the Southern Campaign under the command of Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, and went on to liberate Ecuador in the Battle of Pichincha, Peru in the Battle of Junín, and Alto Peru (today Bolivia) in the Battle of Ayacucho.

19th century
After the army fought in the Gran Colombia–Peru War (1828-1829), and once Venezuela separated from Gran Colombia in 1830, the country went through periods of great instability and civil wars throughout the 19th century, which led to the end of the professional army and in its place emerged the figure of the regional leader (caudillo) who organized their montoneras (irregular militia) to fight in internal civil wars.

This precarious situation ended when in 1899 Cipriano Castro took power as president and once again lays the foundations for a professional army, which his successor Juan Vicente Gómez deepens.

20th century
The army followed a growing line of modernization and professionalization throughout the 20th century, under the Prussian model. After the death of Gómez and the instability that followed, the army took sides in the politics of the time, with a dominance of militaristic sectors in the country's politics in the period 1940-1958, with the army carrying out three coups d'état in 1945, 1948 and in 1958 ending the dictatorship of General Marcos Pérez Jiménez, within the framework of the Cold War.

With the overthrow of the Pérez Jiménes and the return to democracy, the most significant actions that involved the army were the combat of the Marxist-Leninist guerrillas of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional, FALN), made up of activists from the Communist Party of Venezuela and the Revolutionary Left Movement (Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria, MIR) that were heavily active throughout the 60's; as well as the deployment of Venezuelan troops in the ONUCA peacekeeping mission in Nicaragua.

Other missions undertaken by the army where the repression of looting of private property during the "Caracazo" protests in February 1989 and the failed coups by future president Colonel Hugo Chávez in April and November 1992.

21st century
In the 21st century, the Venezuelan Army has experienced unprecedented growth, incorporating war a big influx of material, mostly from Russia, in almost all segments of its arsenal, allowing an almost total modernization of the force. In the last three decades, it has had to face the spillover into Venezuela of the Colombian internal conflict; and sometimes being put on alert due to tensions between Caracas and Bogotá.

The National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela is the 4th largest military in Latin America, behind Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

Mission and vision
Its mission, as the ground forces of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela, is to:


 * Secure the ground defenses of the nation,
 * Contribute to the establishment of democratic institutions and build up respect and full compliance to the laws of the Republic as mandated,
 * Support national development and integration,
 * And to participate in programs of international cooperation and peacekeeping.

Functions of the Army
In accordance with the Article 9 of the National Armed Forces Organic Law as amended, the functions of the Army are to


 * Organize, train and equip units for ground forces operations
 * Establish doctrines for the various operations it has to undertake
 * Participate in military mobilization programs
 * Maintain the national borders
 * And actively achieve readiness to develop technologies and scientifical advances for the advancement of national defense

Spanish lyrics
Chorus


 * Adelante marchemos, valientes, al combate y al rudo fragor
 * por la patria muy altas las frentes, despleguemos pujanza y valor.
 * Por la patria muy altas las frentes, despleguemos pujanza y valor.


 * Nuestra sangre es la savia del pueblo y en el pueblo se plasma en canción
 * es la rosa más pura del viento que en la historia da brillo a la acción,
 * En las aguas, el aire y la tierra la victoria es el alba inmortal,
 * si sublime es el triunfo en la guerra, preservemos la gloria y la paz.

Chorus


 * Y si el brazo extranjero se atreve a infamar de este suelo el honor
 * antes muerte mil veces nos llegue que rendirnos al torpe invasor,
 * pues de todas las patrias que el cielo diera al hombre en morada de amor,
 * es la nuestra el más hondo desvelo en el sueño de un mundo mejor.

Chorus

Organization
The Venezuelan Army is divided into 4 main commands and 6 army divisions as well as other independent units reporting to Headquarters, Venezuelan Army. The Army's Air Defense Artillery Brigades also report directly, as part of the Venezuelan Air Force Air Defense Forces Command, to the Operational Strategic Command for national defense purposes in air defense matters.

Army General Command
• Army Headquarters

• Army HQ Escort and Security Battalion "Lieutenant General Daniel Florence O'Leary"

• Army General Staff

• Army Inspector General's Office

Army Logistics Command
• Command HQ

• Command HQ Company

• Inspectoriate General

• Adjutant General's Corps

• Acquisitions Office

• Army Ministers Reception Center

• Army Armaments Corps

• Army Intendancy

• Army Medical Department

• Army Transportation Corps

• Army Communications Corps

• Army Engineers Service

• 82nd Logistics Support Regiment

• 83rd Logistics Support Command

• 84th Logistics Support Command

Army Aviation Command
• Command HQ

• Command, Service and Logistics Company

• Helicopter Battalion

• Fixed Wing Air Battalion

• Special Reconnaissance Battalion

• Multipurpose Helicopter Battalion

• Army Aviation Maintenance Center

• Army Aviation School

• Army Aviation Center of Administration

• Army Aviation Flight Simulation and Instruction Center

Special Forces
99th Army Special Operations Brigade

1st Infantry Division
• HQ Battalion

• 11th Armored Brigade "Brigadier Pedro Ruiz Rondon"

• * Brigade HQ

• * 1st Battalion Combat Team (Mot.)

• * 111th Armor Battalion

• * 112th Armor Infantry Battalion

• * 113th Armor Battalion

• * 114th Armor Battalion

• * 115th Field Artillery Battalion

• * 116th Air Defense Artillery Battalion

• * 1103rd Reconnisance Squadron

• 12th Caribbean Ranger Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 121st Infantry Battalion "Venezuela"

• * 122nd Ranger Battalion

• * 123rd Ranger Battalion

• * 124th Field Artillery Battalion

• 13th Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• ** 131st Infantry Battalion

• ** 132nd Infantry Battalion

• ** 133rd Infantry Battalion

• ** 135th Field Artillery Battalion "Battle of Lake Maracaibo"

• ** 136th Air Defense Artillery Battalion

• 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 141st Infantry Battalion

• * 143rd Infantry Battalion

• * 145th Field Artillery Battalion

• * 146th Air Defense Artillery Battalion

• 19th Western Air Defense Artillery Brigade

• 105th Combat Engineers Battalion

2nd Infantry Division
• HQ Battalion

• 21st Motorized Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 3rd Battalion Combat Team (Mech.)

• * 211th Infantry Battalion "COL Antonio Ricaurte"

• * 212th Infantry Battalion "Carabobo"

• * 213th Infantry Battalion

• * 215th Field Artillery Battalion

• 22nd Mountain Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 221st Infantry Battalion

• * 222nd Infantry Battalion

• * 2205th Mortar Battery (Mountain)

• 23rd Development and Security Brigade

• 24th Infantry Brigade

• 25th Mechanized Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 251st Infantry Battalion

• * 253rd Infantry Battalion

• * 225th Field Artillery Battalion

• 29th Plains Air Defense Artillery Brigade

• 205th Divisional Combat Engineering Battalion

• Military Police Company The 79th Andes Air Defense Artillery Brigade reports directly to the Operational Strategic Command, while being in the 2ID's territorial jurisdiction.

3rd Infantry Division
• HQ Battalion

• 31st Mechanized Infantry Brigade Group "Major General Lucas Carvajal"

• * Brigade HQ

• * 311th Armor Infantry Battalion "Simon Bolivar"

• * 312th Armored Cavalry Squadron "Juan Pablo Ayala"

• * 316th Air Defense Artillery Battalion

• 32nd Caribbean Ranger Brigade "General-in-Chief José Antonio Páez"

• * Brigade HQ

• * 321st Ranger Battalion

• * 322nd Ranger Battalion

• * 323rd Ranger Battalion

• * 325th Field Artillery Battalion (Ranger)

• 33rd Signals Brigade

• 34th Signals Brigade (activated 2016)

• * Brigade HQ

• ** 341st Signals Battalion

• ** 342nd Signals Battalion

• ** 343rd Signals Battalion

• ** 344th Signals Battalion

• ** 345th Signals Battalion

• ** 346th Signals Battalion

• ** 347th Signals Battalion

• 35th Military Police Brigade "General Jose de San Martin"

• * Brigade HQ

• ** 351st MP Battalion

• ** 352nd MP Battalion

• ** 353rd MP Battalion

• ** 354th MP Battalion (Replacement and Training Battalion)

• 39th Central Air Defense Artillery Brigade "Colonel Juan Perez Ovalles"

• 305th Combat Engineers Battalion

Since 2016 the newly created 34th CCB reports also to the Operational Strategic Command.

4th Armored Division
• HQ Battalion

• 41st Armored Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 2nd Battalion Combat Team (Mixed)

• * 411th Armor Infantry Battalion "Major General Jose Antonio Anzoategui"

• * 412th Armor Battalion "Major General Jose Francisco Bermudez"

• * 413th Armor Battalion "Brigadier Pedro León Torres"

• * 414th Armor Battalion "Apure Braves"

• * 415th Field Artillery Battalion (Mixed) "Major General Juan Jacinto Lara"

• * 416th Air Defense Artillery Battalion (MANPAD & Towed) "Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro Salazar"

• * 4012nd Armored Reconnisance Troop "Sacred Cavalry Squadron"

• 42nd Airborne Brigade "Aragua"

• * Brigade HQ

• * 421st Parachute Infantry Battalion "José Leonardo Chirinos"

• * 422nd Parachute Infantry Battalion "Colonel Antonio Nicolas Briceno"

• * 423rd Parachute Infantry Battalion "Colonel Ramon Garcia de Sena"

• * Sniper Company

• 43rd Field Artillery Brigade "Grand Marshal of Ayacucho Antonio Jose de Sucre"

• * Brigade HQ

• * 431st Field Artillery Battalion (Self-Propelled)

• * 432nd Field Artillery Battalion (Self-Propelled) "General in Chief & President Ciprano Castro"

• * 433rd Field Artillery Battalion (Multiple Rocket Launcher)

• * 434th Field Artillery Battalion (Multiple Rocket Launcher)

• * 435th Field Artillery Battalion (Multiple Rocket Launcher) "Colonel Juan Vicente Bolivar"

• 44th Light Armored Brigade

• 49th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

• 402nd Anti-tank Artillery Battalion "Major General Ezequiel Zamora"

• 405th Combat Engineers Battalion

• Combat Training Center "Lieutenant General Gabriel Laurencio Silva"

5th Jungle Infantry Division
• HQ Battalion

• 5002th Maintenance and Services Coy.

• 51st Jungle Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 511th Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 512th Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 513th Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 5102nd Reconnisance Company

• * 5105th Mortar Battery (Jungle)

• 52nd Jungle Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 521st Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 522nd Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 5202nd Cavalry Troop

• 53rd Jungle Infantry Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 531st Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 532nd Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 533rd Infantry Battalion (Jungle)

• * 5302nd Cavalry Troop

• 59th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

• 505th Combat Engineers Battalion

• 508th Service Support Battalion

• 507th Communications Battalion

9th Cavalry Division
• Division HQ

• HQ Squadron

• 91st Armored Cavalry Brigade "Major General Pedro Perez Delgado"

• * Brigade HQ

• * HQ Troop

• * 911th Armored Cavalry Squadron "Brigadier Ambrosio Plaza"

• * 912th Armored Cavalry Squadron

• * 913th Armored Cavalry Squadron

• 92nd Caribbean Ranger Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 921st Ranger Battalion

• * 922nd Armor Battalion "Victors of Araure" (Ranger)

• * 923rd Ranger Battalion

• * 926th Field Artillery Battalion "Battle of Ayacucho" (Ranger)

• * 927th Air Defense Artillery Battalion

• * 9202nd Cavalry Troop

• 93rd Caribbean Ranger Brigade (Mechanized)

• * Brigade HQ

• * 931st Infantry Battalion

• * 932nd Ranger Battalion

• * 933rd Ranger Battalion

• * 934th Infantry Battalion

• * 937th Ranger Battalion

• * 9302nd Cavalry Troop

• 94th Brigade Combat Team

• 905th Combat Engineers Battalion

• UAV Battalion "Apure Patriots"

6th Corps of Engineers
• Corps HQ

• HQ Battalion

• 61st Engineers Training Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 611th Engineer Battalion

• * 612th Engineer Training Battalion

• * 613th Engineer Training Battalion

• * 614th Engineer Training Battalion

• 62nd Construction and Maintenance Regiment

• * Regiment HQ

• * 621st Engineer Training Battalion

• * 622nd Engineer Battalion

• 63rd Construction and Maintenance Regiment

• * Regiment HQ

• * 631st Engineer Battalion

• * 632nd Engineer Training Battalion

• 64th Railroad Engineering Brigade

• * Brigade HQ

• * 641st Railroad Engineer Battalion

• * 642nd Railroad Engineer Battalion

• * 643rd Railroad Engineer Battalion

Commanding Generals of the Army
(*): Marks promotion to the rank of full General (and appointment as Minister of Defense) after serving term as Commanding General of the Army