The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) ratified this Monday the commitment to maintain the defense of the sovereignty of the country against the aggressions of any empire in the world, when celebrating this July 24 the 240th anniversary of the birth of the Liberator, Simón Bolivarand the Bicentennial of the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo.
The information was released through his account on the social network Twitter, the Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, who in a statement celebrates two events such as the birth of Liberator and the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo, staged on the same day in different years, which marked the path of the country’s independence.
The Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo sealed “with blood and fire, the definitive victory that banished the Spanish empire from this sacred soil forever,” the statement said.
“I have no words to express all my gratitude to the crew of the @ArmadaFANBVzla, who also celebrate on their day, the Bicentennial of the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo Bravo Zulú! Good wind and good sea on this voyage through Venezuela!” the Minister said on Twitter.
Below is the full text with the release Issued by the Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, to commemorate two events that marked the history of Venezuela.
“Two lucky events of providential coincidence and historical significance shine in our collective memory on a day like today. The first of them was that dawn of July 24, 1783, when Caracas served as the cradle of the Architect of American Freedom: Simón Bolívar…Father of the Great Homeland!…Everlasting inspiration for hundreds of generations who will always carry with them his infinite feat of justice and freedom.
The revolutionary with clear political clarity that led to the independence of Venezuela and five other nations. From the indomitable force of his thought emerged the rebellion of the peoples determined to be free; with it came the hope of self-determination and the birth of this Republic.
Years later, a second event marked the history of the country: on July 24, 1823, at 3:15 p.m., the patriot cannons and musketry prevailed undefeated in the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo, sealing with blood and fire the final victory that forever banished the Spanish empire from this sacred soil.
This epic contest that today reaches its glorious Bicentennial, was the fact of arms that was institutionalized as the Day of the Bolivarian Army; distinguished Component that pays tribute to its unfading past and sails brand new towards a promising future, capable of operating efficiently and effectively with all its naval power in the Comprehensive Defense of the Nation, highlighting in its most recent actions, the operations in defense of our Essequibo and the waters of the Venezuelan Atlantic Facade.
On this triumphant date that exalts the anti-imperialist character of our Bolivarian National Armed Forces, I congratulate the ladies and gentlemen of the sea, with special deference to Admiral Neil Jesús Villamizar Sánchez, chief helmsman of the military ships; in whose human and military virtues I fully trust to fulfill the honorable mission that the Republic has entrusted to him.
Let us always keep the examples of Bolívar, Miranda and Brión high, hoisting the trim of sails of naval honor to be at the height of the imposing Venezuelan sea.
May the God of all seas and La Virgen del Valle continue to illuminate the path that points to a safe harbor.
Good wind and good sea! In the eternal journey of preserving the freedom, independence, sovereignty and dignity of this Homeland.
LONG LIVE THE LIBERATOR FATHER!…
LONG LIVE THE BOLIVARIAN ARMY!
Chávez lives!… The Homeland continues!
Independence and Socialist Homeland!… We will live and win!
The Sun of Venezuela is born in the Essequibo!
Independence or Nothing!… Always Loyal… Never Traitors!
Caracas, July 24, 2023
Vladimir Padrino Lopez
General-in-Chief”.
