History UsefulNotes / BolivariansWithBMPs

They have also been involved in a border dispute with neighboring Guyana which, although going on for decades, has recently flared up rather seriously [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Guyana%E2%80%93Venezuela_crisis most recently in 2023]], though thankfully no violence has occurred...yet. Time will tell how this plays out.

The word "Bolivarian" comes from the name of Simon Bolivar, who led the Venezuelan forces to victory in the Venezuelan War of Independence. Since then, he has become essentially the UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington of his country, his name invoked by a number of governments over the last two centuries, most recently the Hugo Chavez/Nicholas Maduro regime.

During the Chavez regime, and continuing into the rule of his successor Nicholas Maduro, the military has cultivated strong ties to [[UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets Russia]] and [[UsefulNotes/ChineseWithChopperSupport China]], with some support also provided by [[UsefulNotes/RevolutionariesWithRussianRPDs the Cubans]] as well (who have a rumored presence in the country's recent crisis).

They have also been involved in a border dispute with neighboring Guyana which, although going on for decades, has recently flared up rather seriously, though thankfully no violence has occurred...yet. Time will tell how this plays out.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMP carriers and the BTR series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, plus the 2S7 Msta self-propelled howlitzers and the BM-21 and BM-30 multiple rocket launchers. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (including American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French AMX-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, American V-150 and Dragoon 300 armored personnel carriers and US-made 150mm towed howlitzers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series, standard issue machine guns are the US [M2H2] Browning and the FN MAG series, sniper guns are the SVD Dragunov and the CAVIM Catatumbo (locally made). It maintains an army aviation arm comprising of the Mil series and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters.

Wiki/TheOtherWiki states that the Armed Forces report to the President via the Ministry of Defense and the Strategic Operations Command of the NBAF (established 2005), whose head is the chief of defense forces (in recent years concurrently the Minister of Defense) and his deputy the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During the Chavez regime, and continuing into the rule of his successor Nicholas Maduro, the military has cultivated strong ties to [[UsefulNotes/RussiansWithRustingRockets Russia]] and [[UsefulNotes/ChineseWithChopperSupport China]], with some support also provided by [[RevolutionariesWithRussianRPDs the Cubans]] as well (who have a rumored presence in the country's recent crisis).

During the Chavez regime, and continuing into the rule of his successor Nicholas Maduro, the military has cultivated strong ties to [[RussiansWithRustingRockets Russia]] and [[UsefulNotes/ChineseWithChopperSupport China]], with some support also provided by [[RevolutionariesWithRussianRPDs the Cubans]] as well (who have a rumored presence in the country's recent crisis).

During the Chavez regime, and continuing into the rule of his successor Nicholas Maduro, the military has cultivated strong ties to [[RussiansWithRustingRockets Russia]] and [[ChineseWithChopperSupport China]], with some support also provided by [[RevolutionariesWithRussianRPDs the Cubans]] as well (who have a rumored presence in the country's recent crisis).

During the Chavez regime, and continuing into the rule of his successor Nicholas Maduro, the military has cultivated strong ties to [[RussiansWithRustingRockets Russia]] and [[ChineseWithChopperSupport China]], with some support also provided by [[RevolutionariesWithRussianRPDs the Cubans]] as well ( who have a rumored presence in the country's recent crisis).

Because of the Chavez/Maduro regime, the Venezuelan military has begun making an increasing number of appearances in fiction, often as antagonists.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned [BMP] carriers and the [BTR] series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, plus the 2S7 Msta self-propelled howlitzers and the BM-21 and BM-30 multiple rocket launchers. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (including American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French [[AMX]]-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, American V-150 and Dragoon 300 armored personnel carriers and US-made 150mm towed howlitzers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series, standard issue machine guns are the US [M2H2] Browning and the FN MAG series, sniper guns are the SVD Dragunov and the CAVIM Catatumbo (locally made). It maintains an army aviation arm comprising of the Mil series and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters.

* In ''Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.'', Venezuela is part of a military alliance of several South American nations, called Las Trinidad, that are invading Brazil. The player and the [[PrivateMilitaryContractors PMC Artemis Global Security]] are initially hired by the Brazilian government to aid in repelling the attack, with the player conducting a number of missions against them. However, when the United States decides to come to the aid of Brazil, thus hurting Artemis' business with the Brazilians, Venezuela and the rest of Las Trinidad seize the opportunity to hire Artemis themselves, getting the PMC to switch sides. With their proxy mercenary army, they are able to carry out [[InvadedStatesOfAmerica attacks against the U.S. itself]].

TheOtherWiki states that the Armed Forces report to the President via the Ministry of Defense and the Strategic Operations Command of the NBAF (established 2005), whose head is the chief of defense forces (in recent years concurrently the Minister of Defense) and his deputy the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMP carriers and the BTR series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, plus the 2S7 Msta self-propelled howlitzers and the BM-21 and BM-30 multiple rocket launchers. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (including American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French Amx-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, and American V-1000 and Dragoon 300 armored personnel carriers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series, standard issue machine guns are the US M2H2 Browning and the FN MAG series, sniper guns are the SVD Dragunov and the CAVIM Caratumbo (locally made). It maintains an army aviation arm comprising of the Mil series and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters.

The Navy currently has 14 amphibious ships with 4 more under construction, as well as 6 frigates, 4 corvettes, 4 coastal watch ships and a number of smaller vessels, its Marine Corps has more modern Chinese made vehicles - the VN-1 IFV, VN-16 and VN-18 armored personnel carriers and the SR-4 multiple rocket launcher (plus US LTVP7 and Brazilian EE-11 infantry fighting vehicles, all modernized), naval aviation sports US, European and Chinese made aircraft.

The Air Force currently has a fleet of Russian-made Su-30 strike fighters and Chinese-made K-8vv and L-15 fighters and Y-8 medium lift transports. In addition it also has a fleet of American-built F-16 Falcons and C-130 transports, plus Diamond training aircraft and Mil series and Super Puma helicopters.

The newest and by far most controversial branch is the National Militia. Created in 2009, it acts as a reserve force for the regular military. However, it has also been described as a "political army" that takes it's orders directly from the President and is packed with die hard government supporters. It has been accused of violence against political dissidents and journalists. Members include those from state corporations and public farmlands and are armed with FN FAL and SKS series rifles, M60 machine guns, a few Oto Melara field guns and French mortars among others, with vehicles loaned by state firms. Personel serving in the rural branch can be distinguished by their sharp knives, long Mosin-Nagant rifles, and their light gray uniforms.

* In ''[[MercenariesPlaygroundOfDestruction Mercenaries 2:World in Flames]]'' they serve as the main antagonists and are one of six factions the player encounters. They are hostile to all the other factions and are the only ones the player cannot work with, due to their boss, BigBad Ramon Solano, being the cause of all the problems in the story and making the ''big'' mistake of betraying the mercenary character after he hired him/her to rescue a general that was leading a coup in the prologue of the game.

* In ''CallOfDutyGhosts'', Venezuela is the leader of an alliance of South American countries that has conquered South and Central America. They hijack an American space-based kinetic weapon, use it against the southwestern U.S, and then [[InvadedStatesOfAmerica invade the weakened United States]] from across the Mexican border. There are even a couple of missions that take the player to Caracas.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMP carriers and the BTR series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, plus the 2S7 Msta self-propelled howlitzers and the BM-21 and BM-30 multiple rocket launchers. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (including American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French Amx-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, and American V-1000 and Dragoon 300 armored personnel carriers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series, standard issue machine guns are the US M60 Browning. It maintains an army aviation arm comprising of the Mil series and Bell Jet Ranger helicopters.

The Navy currently has 14 amphibious ships with 4 more under construction, as well as 6 frigates, 4 corvettes, 4 coastal watch ships and a number of smaller vessels, its Marine Corps has more modern Chinese made vehicles - the VN-1 IFV, VN-16 and VN-18 armored personnel carriers and the SR-4 multiple rocket launcher, naval aviation sports US, European and Chinese made aircraft.

The newest and by far most controversial branch is the National Militia. Created in 2009, it acts as a reserve force for the regular military. However, it has also been described as a "political army" that takes it's orders directly from the President and is packed with die hard government supporters. It has been accused of violence against political dissidents and journalists. Members include those from state corporations and public farmlands and are armed with FN FAL and SKS series rifles, M60 machine guns, a few Oto Melara field guns and French mortars among others. Personel serving in the rural branch can be distinguished by their sharp knives, long Mosin-Nagant rifles, and their light gray uniforms.

TheOtherWiki states that the Armed Forces report to the President via the Ministry of Defense and the Strategic Operations Command of the NBAF (established 2005), whose head is the chief of defense forces (in recent years concurrently the Minister of Defense) and his deputy the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

It is compised of 4 commands, the 6th Corps of Engineers and 6 divisions:

TheOtherWiki states that the Armed Forces report to the President via the Ministry of Defense and the Strategic Operations Command of the NBAF (established 2005), whose head is the chief of defense forces (in recent years concurrently the Minister of Defense) and his deputy the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Air Force currently has a fleet of Russian-made Su-30 strike fighters and Chinese-made K-8vv and L-15 fighters and Y-8 medium lift transports. In addition it also has a fleet of American-built F-16 Falcons and C-130 transports, plus Diamond training aircraft.

The National Guard is designed to act as both an internal security force similar to the Gendarmerie in other countries and a light infantry force should the need arise. They have a lot of the same equipment as the regular army, although they also have a force of Chinese made "Norinco" armored personnel carriers and Type 63 light tanks and Italian Oto Melara and German UR series armored cars. They have been involved in controversies surrounding allegations of corruption in the drug trade and , more recently, their actions against protesters in 2014-2015.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMP carriers and the BTR series wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, plus the 2S7 Msta self-propelled howlitzers and the BM-21 and BM-30 multiple rocket launchers. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (including American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French Amx-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, and American V-1000 and Dragoon 300 armored personnel carriers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series, standard issue machine guns are the US M60 Browning. It maintains an army aviation arm comprising of the Mil series and Bell Ranger helicopters.

The Navy currently has 4 amphibious ships, as well as 6 frigates, 4 corvettes and a number of smaller vessels, its Marine Corps has more modern Chinese made vehicles - the VN-1 IFV, VN-16 and VN-18 armored personnel carriers and the SR-4 multiple rocket launcher, naval aviation sports US, European and Chinese made aircraft.

The Air Force currently has a fleet of Russian-made Su-30 strike fighters and Chinese-made K-8vv and L-15 fighters and Y-8 medium lift transports. In addition it also has a fleet of American-built F-16 Falcons and C-130 transports, plus training aircraft.

The National Guard is designed to act as both an internal security force similar to the Gendarmerie in other countries and a light infantry force should the need arise. They have a lot of the same equipment as the regular army, although they also have a force of Chinese made "Norinco" armored personnel carriers and Type 63 light tanks and Italian Oto Melara armored cars. They have been involved in controversies surrounding allegations of corruption in the drug trade and , more recently, their actions against protesters in 2014-2015.

The newest and by far most controversial branch is the National Militia. Created in 2009, it acts as a reserve force for the regular military. However, it has also been described as a "political army" that takes it's orders directly from the President and is packed with die hard government supporters. It has been accused of violence against political dissidents and journalists. Members include those from state corporations and public farmlands and are armed with FN FAL and SKS series rifles, M60 machine guns, a few Oto Melara field guns and French mortars among others.

The Venezuelan military hasn't been involved in too many conflicts far from it's borders. Although the government declared war on the Axis Powers in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, they mostly provided material support, and did not send troops overseas (in fact [[BraziliansWithBazookas Brazil was the only South American country to send soldiers during the war]]). Most conflicts it has taken part in are either internal or with neighboring countries (Colombia is often in the mix).

The word "Bolivarian" comes from the name of Simon Bolivar, who led the Venezuelan forces to victory in the Venezuelan War of Independence. Since then, he has become essentially the GeorgeWashington of his country, his name invoked by a number of governments over the last two centuries, most recently the Hugo Chavez/Nicholas Maduro regime.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMP carriers and the BTR series wheeled IFVs, plus the 2S7 Msta SPGs and the BM-21 and BM-30 MRLs. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (including American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French Amx-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, and American V-1000 and Dragoon 300 armored personnel carriers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series, standard issue machine guns are the US M60 Browning. It maintains an army aviation arm comprising of the Mil series and Bell Ranger helicopters.

The Navy currently has 4 amphibious ships, as well as 6 frigates, 4 corvettes and a number of smaller vessels, its Marine Corps has more modern Chinese made vehicles - the VN1 IFV, VN-16 and VN-18 APCs and the SR-4 multiple rocket launcher, naval aviation sports US, European and Chinese made aircraft.

The Air Force currently has a fleet of Russian-made Su-30 strike fighters and Chinese-made K-8vv and L-15 fighters. In addition it also has a fleet of American-built F-16 Falcons and C-130 transports.

The National Guard is designed to act as both an internal security force similar to the Gendarmerie in other countries and a light infantry force should the need arise. They have a lot of the same equipment equipment as the regular army, although they also have a force of Chinese made "Norinco" armored personnel carriers and Type 63 light tanks. They have been involved in controversies surrounding allegations of corruption in the drug trade and , more recently, their actions against protesters in 2014-2015.

The newest and by far most controversial branch is the National Militia. Created in 2009, it acts as a reserve force for the regular military. However, it has also been described as a "political army" that takes it's orders directly from the President and is packed with die hard government supporters. It has been accused of violence against political dissidents and journalists. Members include those from state corporations and are armed with FN FALs, SKS rifles, a few Oto Melara field guns and French mortars among others.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMPs. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (icluding American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French Amx-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, and American V-1000 armored personnel carriers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL series.

The Navy currently has 4 amphibious ships, as well as 6 frigates, 4 corvettes and a number of smaller vessels.

The National Guard is designed to act as both an internal security force similar to the Gendarmerie in other countries and a light infantry force should the need arise. They have a lot of the same equipment equipment as the regular army, although they also have a force of Chinese made "Norinco" armored personnel carriers and light tanks. They have been involved in controversies surrounding allegations of corruption in the drug trade and , more recently, their actions against protesters in 2014-2015.

The newest and by far most controversial branch is the National Militia. Created in 2009, it acts as a reserve force for the regular military. However, it has also been described as a "political army" that takes it's orders directly from the President and is packed with die hard government supporters. It has been accused of violence against political dissidents and journalists.

The Venezuelan military hasn't been involved in too many conflicts far from it's borders. Although the government declared war on the Axis Powers in WorldWarII, they mostly provided material support, and did not send troops overseas (in fact [[BraziliansWithBazookas Brazil was the only South American country to send soldiers during the war]]). Most conflicts it has taken part in are either internal or with neighboring countries (Colombia is often in the mix).

* In ''Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.'', Venezuela is part of a military alliance of several South American nations, called Las Trinidad, that are invading Brazil. The player and the [[PrivateMilitaryContractors PMC Artemis Global Security]] are initially hired by the Brazilian government to aid in repelling the attack, with the player conducting a number of missions against them. However, when the United States decides to come to the aid of Brazil, thus hurting Artemis' business with the Brazilians, Venezuela and the rest of Las Trinidad seize the opportunity to hire Artemis themselves, getting the PMC to switch sides. With their proxy mercenary army, they are able to carry out [[InvadedStatesOfAmerica attacks against the U.S. itself]].

* In ''Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.'', Venezuela is part of a military alliance of several South American nations, called Las Trinidad, that are invading Brazil. The player and the [[PrivateMilitaryContractors PMC Artemis Global Security]] are initially hired by the Brazilian government to aid in repelling the attack, with the player conducting a number of missions against them. However, when the United States decides to come to the aid of Brazil, thus hurting Artemis' business with the Brazilians, Venezuela and the rest of Las Trinidad seize the opportunity to hire Artemis themselves, getting the PMC to switch sides. With their proxy mercenary army, they are able to carry out attacks against the U.S. itself.

The Army is currently the largest branch of the Armed Forces. As stated above, most of it's current equipment is Russian made, including T-72 battle tanks and of course the aforementioned BMPs. However, they also have a lot of Western-made (icluding American built) equipment as well from the pre-Chavez days. This includes French Amx-13c Tanks, British Scorpion 90fv light tanks, and American V-1000 armored personnel carriers. The main assault rifles are the Kalishnikov series and the FN FAL aeries.

The Navy currently has 4 amphibious ships, as well as 6 frigates 4, corvettes and a number of smaller vessels.

The National Armed Forces of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin military forces of Venezuela]]. They consist of 5 branches, the Army, Navy, Military Aviation (Air Force), National Guard, and the most recent addition the National Militia.

The Venezuelan military hasn't been involved in too many conflicts far from it's borders. Although the government declared war on the Axis Powers in WorldWarII, the mostly provided material support, and did not send troops overseas (in fact [[BraziliansWithBazookas Brazil was the only South American country to send soldiers during the war]]). Most conflicts it has taken part in are either internal or with neighboring countries (Colombia is often in the mix).

The Venezuelan military hasn't been involved in too many conflicts far from it's borders. Although the government declared war on the Axis Powers in WorldWarII, the mostly provided material support, and did not send troops overseas (in fact [[BraziliansWithBazookas Brazil was the only South American country to send soldiers during the war]]). Most conflicts it has taken part in are either internal or withy neighboring countries (Colombia is often in the mix).

During the Chavez regime, and continuing into the rule of his successor Nicholas Maduro, the military has cultivated strong ties to Russia and China, with some support also provided by [[RevolutionariesWithRussianRPDs the Cubans]] as well ( who have a rumored presence in the countries recent crisis).

They have also been involved in a border dispute with neighboring Guyana which, although going on for decades, has recently flared up rather seriously, though thankfully no violence has occurred...yet. Tme will tell how this plays out.

The National Guard is designed to act as both an internal security force similar to the Gendarmerie in other countries and a light infantry force should the need arise. The have a lot of the same equipment equipment as the regular army, although they also have a force of Chinese made "Norinco" armored personnel carriers and light tanks. They have been involved in controversies surrounding allegations of corruption in the drug trade and , more recently, their actions against protesters in 2014-2015.

* In ''CallOfDutyGhosts'', Venezuela is the leader of an alliance of South American countries that has conquered South and Central America. They hijack an American space-based kinetic weapon, use it against the southwestern U.S, and then [[InvadedStatesOfAmerica invade the weakened United States from across the Mexican border. There are even a couple of missions that take the player to Caracas.

* In ''Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.'', Venezuela is part of a military alliance of several South American nations, called Las Trinidad, that are invading Brazil. The player and the [[PrivateMilitaryContractors PMC Artemis Global Security]] are initially hired by the Brazilian government to aid in repelling the attack, with the player conducting a number of missions against them. However, when the United States decides to come to the aid of Brazil, thus hurting Artemis' business with the Brazilians, Venezuela and the rest of Las Trinidad seize the opportunity to hire Artemis themselves, getting the PMC to switch sides.With their proxy mercenary army, they are able to carry out attacks against the U.S. itself.

The National Armed Forces of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are (ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin military forces of Venezuela. They consist of 5 branches, the Army, Navy, Military Aviation (Air Force), National Guard, and the most recent addition the National Militia.