Inside Venezuela's Military: leaders, composition, and what's behind the support for the Maduro regime

The Venezuelan Armed Forces declared today their unwavering loyalty to President Nicolás Maduro, reinforcing his embattled regime amidst ongoing protests against his contested re-election. In a televised statement on Tuesday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López emphasized the "absolute loyalty and unconditional support" of the military to Maduro, who he described as the legitimately re-elected leader by popular vote and confirmed by the Electoral Authority for the 2025-2031 presidential term.

The opposition, led by María Corina Machado, has shown proof of the opposite. According to their numbers, backed by a publication of the electoral acts, Edmundo González Urrutia, the opposition candidate, garnered 73% of the vote.

Padrino's declaration comes at a critical time, with protests against Maduro's government leading to at least three fatalities and hundreds of detentions, as well as strong repression tactics against protesters.

"Our Commander-in-Chief has been legitimately re-elected by the power of the people and proclaimed by the Electoral Power for the presidential term 2025-2031," Padrino affirmed. He highlighted the military's role as the government's main pillar, pledging decisive action to maintain internal order nationwide through a unified civilian-military-police effort.

Maduro, continuing the legacy of Hugo Chávez, who significantly increased the military's influence through constitutional reforms in 1999, has further cemented his control over the armed forces. Chávez's reforms granted the military voting rights and key positions within state institutions, including the crucial oil industry. Upon Chávez's death, Maduro amplified this influence, positioning the military as a steadfast supporter of his regime.

Leaders and Key Figures

Maduro's assertion that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces are staunchly "chavista, Bolivarian, and revolutionary" underscores the deep ties between the military and his administration. The Venezuelan military, with an estimated 343,000 members according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is the third largest in Latin America, trailing only Brazil and Colombia.

The shift in allegiance from the United States, historically Venezuela's primary arms supplier, to Russia marks a significant transformation. Under chavismo, Venezuela has formed closer military ties with Russia, acquiring Sukhoi fighter jets and Kalashnikov rifles. This relationship was underscored by the visit of two Russian warships to Venezuela in early July.

Padrino López is the top regime's strongman. In addition to leading this ministry, he also holds the rank of General-in-Chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), which means that only Maduro is above him. The whole title is "Minister of the Popular Power for the Defense and Sectoral Vice President for Peace, Security and Sovereignty." A trusted man of Chávez, he was born in Caracas in May 1963, studied at the "Pedro Manuel Ruiz School," and graduated from the military academy in 1984 with a degree in Military Sciences and Arts. From then on, he began a rising military career.

Padrino's second in command is General in Chief Domingo Antonio Hérnández Láres. Under his command is the commander of the Army José Murga Baptista.

Padrino López is a wanted man in the U.S. According to a press release of the Department of Justice, an indictment unsealed in the District of Columbia alleges that from March 2014 until May 2019, Padrino Lopez conspired with others to distribute cocaine on board an aircraft registered in the United States.

On Sept. 25, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) included Padrino Lopez on its Specially Designated Nationals List. Pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, this means that his assets are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from having financial transactions with him.

The DEA Orlando District Office led the investigation, which was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program and the Criminal Division's Office of Enforcement Operations. Acting Deputy Chief Charles Miracle and Trial Attorneys Michael Christin and Kirt Marsh of the Criminal Division's Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section are prosecuting the case.

Economic Power and Human Rights Concerns

Beyond their traditional roles, Venezuelan military officers hold sway over various sectors, controlling mining, oil, food distribution, customs, and 12 out of 34 ministries. This includes vital portfolios such as Oil, Energy, Defense, Interior Relations, and Commerce. The opposition and experts have criticized the military's pervasive corruption networks, which have allegedly enriched many officers.

Retired General Antonio Rivero, a critic of chavismo now in exile in the United States, argued an interview with Colombia's newspaper El Espectador that Maduro lacks the military leadership to sustain his position as commander-in-chief, relying instead on privileges, promotions, and new positions to secure military loyalty."

In a country where the opposition has only twice (not including the current one) won national elections in 25 years of chavismo—rejecting a constitutional reform referendum in 2007 and securing a parliamentary majority in 2015—the military's role is crucial. Maduro's promotion on July 12th of over 101 Brigadier and Division Generals, along with a Major General, while retiring only 70 active members, further disrupting the traditional hierarchical structure of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, and ensuring the support the world is seeing now.

High-ranking military officials have accrued substantial power, with many sanctioned by the United States for alleged links to Colombian guerrillas, drug trafficking, and human rights violations. Despite these sanctions, the military's support for Maduro remains solid, partly due to the significant stakes they hold in maintaining the status quo.

Human rights organizations have reported the political detention of numerous military personnel (149 as of July 1) and the deaths of three under custody. In an interview with the news agency AFP, analyst Renata Segura of Crisis Group describes the Venezuelan Armed Forces as the nation's "most unknown black box," noting their opaque operations and critical role in either facilitating a governmental transition or suppressing protests should the opposition gain power.

The question is now whether the Venezuelan Armed Forces' allegiance to Maduro will waver among the pressure coming both from abroad and from the Venezuelan people. Analysts concur that only a break among the military could provide the change that Venezuelans are demanding.