During 2025, the troops of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fanb) of the Western Strategic Comprehensive Defense Region (Redi) seized a total of 52,885 kilos of drugs as part of the actions deployed in the fight against drug trafficking to preserve the peace of the homeland.
Through a summary, the commander of the Western Redi, M/G Pedro Esteban González Ovalles, highlighted that the narcotics were trying to be illegally transferred into the national territory through the states of Zulia, Falcón and Lara.
González Ovalles stressed that all these results were possible thanks to the perfect popular-military-police fusion, which reflects the commitment of the Fanb in the defense of sovereignty, the protection of the people and the guarantee of peace in the western territory of the country.
Catatumbo Lightning Operation
In this sense, he reported that, as part of Operation Catatumbo Lightning, the Rapid Reaction Units (Urra) deployed in the territory of Zulia, in municipalities bordering Colombia, destroyed 45 clandestine camps, 40 logistical structures, 35 laboratories, a clandestine runway and 17 artisanal shipyards.
Likewise, González Ovalles explained that three semi-submersibles, 71 boats, 122 outboard motors, 223 firearms, 86,600 liters of fuel were seized, and 1,630 individuals have been detained.
Operation Binational Peace Zone
In addition, he indicated that through the Binational Peace Zone Operation it was possible to suppress the actions of armed groups that generated violence, and 119 firearms, 94 magazines, 11,500 cartridges, 216 grenades, 757 detonators, 402 meters of detonating cord, 53 thousand liters of fuel were seized and 250 criminals have been arrested and brought to justice.
Operation Cacique Manaure
On the other hand, M/G González Ovalles specified that in the state of Falcón, through Operation Cacique Manaure, 15 clandestine airstrips were disabled, two camps were destroyed and 32 boats, two semi-submersibles, 116 firearms and 69 thousand liters of fuel were seized.
Operation Iron Hand
With Operation Iron Hand, installed in the Zulia and Lara territories, 458 thousand kilos of food, 1,449 live animals, 5,086 kilograms of strategic material, 121 thousand liters of fuel, 12,650 liters of lubricants and 11,900 units of medicines were confiscated.
Redi Los Andes guarantees citizen security with high-impact operations in 2025
During the year 2025, the Fanb troops of the Los Andes Strategic Comprehensive Defense Region (Redi) have guaranteed the sovereignty, security and tranquility of the people, in perfect military-police coordination, through various wide-ranging operations.
The head of Redi Los Andes, M/G José Gregorio Martínez Campos, reported that, through Operation Cacique Murachi in the state of Táchira and Operation Mucuchíes in Mérida, in addition to other actions in the state of Trujillo, the seizure of more than two tons of drugs was achieved as part of the fight against drug trafficking.
Likewise, he indicated that Operation Iron Hand produced strong results in citizen service points, patrols and security operations. Likewise, he mentioned that through Operation Binational Peace Zone No. 1, aimed at expelling criminal groups from the territory, the destruction of logistical systems, laboratories, equipment and supplies used for the production of narcotics was achieved.
“The Fanb has detected and destroyed various logistical structures with relevant results in seizures,” highlighted Martínez Campos.
Finally, the M/G highlighted the active participation of Redi Los Andes in the 1×10 System of Good Government, to provide a timely response to citizen demands, in addition to highlighting that the Bolivarian nation remains impregnable against any external attack.
Fanb neutralizes aircraft and camps linked to drug trafficking in Apure and Guárico
The Los Llanos Strategic Comprehensive Defense Region (Redi) presented the operational balance corresponding to the year 2025, which highlights the execution of a broad strategic deployment aimed at safeguarding sovereignty and internal order throughout the Llanos territory.
During the report, it was detailed that through Operation Vuelvan Caras in the state of Apure, the Combat Rapid Reaction Units (URRA) achieved the neutralization of 14 aircraft used for drug trafficking, the disabling of four clandestine runways, the seizure of more than 1,400 kilograms of drugs, 80 firearms and 26 boats.
In addition, 35 outboard motors and 32 thousand liters of fuel were seized, as well as 40 camps, 23 laboratories and 34 logistics structures were destroyed.
Similarly, with Operation Iron Hand, permanent control of border crossings and trails has been maintained, where the seizure of more than 20 tons of food, oils and vehicle lubricants, 653 cubic meters of wood, 631 detained vehicles and 621 motorcycles was achieved.
Operation Zaraza in Guárico
Likewise, with Operation Zaraza in the state of Guárico, a forceful blow has been dealt to the structured organized crime groups and criminal cells that sought to create anxiety in the region.
Given this, the actions allowed 32 legal interventions to be carried out, 1,042 arrested, the seizure of 164 firearms, 17 logistics camps dismantled, as well as the arrest of satellite connection equipment, telephones, radios, among others.
It is worth noting that these actions were carried out in close coordination with the country’s citizen security bodies. This articulation between the military and police forces facilitated the dismantling of criminal structures and optimizing surveillance in the region, to achieve forceful results in the fight against organized crime and transnational crimes.
Redi Oriental seized 2058 kilos of drugs
From the Eastern Comprehensive Defense Strategic Region (Eastern Redi) a balance was offered about the various operations carried out by these bodies during 2025.
In this context, they pointed out that 2,058 kilos of drugs were seized, as well as the arrest of more than 7,000 wanted for various crimes, who were placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry; Likewise, they highlighted the retention of firearms, explosive devices, boats and the destruction of camps.
Redi Guayana destroyed 125 camps where illegal mining was carried out
The Strategic Comprehensive Defense Region (Redi) Guayana detailed the results of the operations carried out during the year 2025, aimed at the protection of natural resources, the fight against drug trafficking in the south of the country and the well-being of the people.
As part of the fight against the illicit extraction of minerals, 125 camps where illegal mining was carried out were destroyed, in addition to the disabling of 49 mining ponds and 424 motor pumps used for these environmentally predatory activities.
Regarding the fight against trafficking of illicit substances, the operational balance highlights the destruction of 52 camp-type structures, 35 laboratories intended for drug processing and the neutralization of 13 small planes.
Redi Marítima e Insular achieved the seizure and destruction of a significant amount of illicit drugs
The Strategic Region of Comprehensive Maritime and Island Defense (Redimain) detailed the balance of the operational results achieved during the year 2025, reaffirming its role in guaranteeing the security and peace of Venezuela in the aquatic and island spaces.
In this context, he highlighted that as guarantors of the peace and tranquility of the Venezuelan people, the forces remained in active resistance and permanent offensive, carrying out multiple citizen security deployments and developing frontal combat operations against drug trafficking.
Thanks to these actions, the seizure and destruction of a significant amount of illicit drugs and elements of criminalistic interest were achieved, consolidating the commitment of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in the defense of sovereignty and the comprehensive protection of the people.
