A transition plan and reorganization of the defense sector, designed to be carried out over a period of six months, was presented by military sources as part of an effort to re-institutionalize the National Armed Forces and return it to its constitutional framework after years of politicization and internal deterioration.
According to information published by Venezuela Politicsthe proposal begins with the appointment of civil authorities in the Ministry of Defensethe elimination of parallel structures such as Bolivarian Militiaand the implementation of a selection system for military commands “based on rigor, ethics and professional merit.”
The sources indicated that the fundamental goal is restablish institutional autonomy, clean up hierarchies and “unburden the institution of political influences, economic interests and criminal networks”. The plan also contemplates a decree of national disarmament and the purging of police commands, in order to recover public order.
A re-institutionalization process in six months
According to the report of Venezuela Politicsthe strategy establishes that the National Armed Forces must reorient itself to its constitutional mission, which implies “the elimination of all partisan influence and units created for personal or political reasons.”
Among the pillars of the process are:
- Civil leadership in the Ministry of Defense.
- Elimination of the Bolivarian Militia.
- Review and restructuring of the FANB Strategic Operational Command (CEOFANB).
- Creation of professional evaluation committees for general and superior officers.
- Immediate legal adaptation of the defense sector.
The same sources stressed that re-institutionalization involves rescue officers with solid training and high ethical standardsas well as displacing those linked to human rights violations.
The exposed plan proposes modifying the Organic Law of the National Armed Forces and the Organic Law of National Securityin order to correct distortions introduced in recent years and adjust the military structure to a truly constitutional framework.
Likewise, it proposes creating a specialized committee in charge of individually evaluating commanders, identifying suitable cadres and purging ranks committed to political or criminal activities.
The sources reject the use of foreign advice in this process and assure that “the solution must come from the members of the institution themselves, who know its real functioning.”
New structure for the Ministry and the operational apparatus
The redesign of the Ministry includes a civilian leadership supported by Venezuelan advisors – active military, retired and specialists – as well as vice ministries also under civilian leadership. The internal control bodies, such as the Military General Comptroller’s Office and the Military Justice System, would remain in the hands of officers with moral ascendancy and verifiable track records.
Regarding Ceofanb, the document highlights the need for a thorough review of its functions, the Strategic Comprehensive Defense Regions (REDI) and the Comprehensive Defense Operational Zones (ZODI)to eliminate ideologized components and units created for political purposes.
The plan also proposes the definitive elimination of the Militia and the Comprehensive Defense Areas (ADI)considered parallel structures without constitutional support.
Venezuela Politics points out that the stability of the country during the transition depends on the ability to control irregular groups, armed groups and criminal gangs. For this reason, a deep purification is proposed in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) and the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), with the aim of separating the commanders responsible for abuses and preserving officials with a vocation for service.
The national disarmament decree provides for a total prohibition on the carrying of weapons by civilians, officials or military personnel outside of duly documented acts of service. Weapons must remain under strict custody in military or police weapons parks.. “Any armed individual off duty will be considered part of criminal gangs or collectives,” sources warn.
It is also proposed to reform the operation of the DAEX (General Directorate of Weapons and Explosives)identified for granting credentials to irregular organizations.
The sources consulted by Venezuela Politics They attribute the institutional crisis of the Armed Forces to the political use of the institution and the promotion of partisan loyalties over merit.
Therefore, the plan contemplates the reinstatement of officers with less than five years out of service, as long as they meet high professional and ethical standards. The aim is to rescue talent that has been “vilified and relegated” for years, in order to return its professional character to the Armed Forces.
“The objective is for the institution to recover its reason for being and its prestige”adds the military source, who insists that the process must be carried out with transparency, civilian control and political will.
