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| Bolivarian Army | |
|---|---|
| Ejército Bolivariano | |
 Venezuelan Army emblem | |
| Founded | 19 April 1810 |
| Country |  Venezuela |
| Type | Army |
| Role | To protect and guarantee the permanent sovereignty of the nation against any external, or internal threats. |
| Size | 115,000 (2021)[1] |
| Part of | National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela |
| Patron | Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
| Motto(s) | "Forger of liberties" |
| Colors | Blue, Red |
| March | Venezuelan National Army Hymn (Himno del Ejercito Nacional Bolivariano de Venezuela) |
| Anniversaries | 24 June, Army Day and anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Minister of the People's Power for Defense of the Republic of Venezuela | General-in-Chief Vladimir Padrino López |
| Commandant of the Operational Strategic Command | General-in-chief Domingo Hernández Lárez |
| Commanding General, Venezuelan Army | Major General José Antonio Murga Baptista |
| Inspector General, Venezuelan Army | Divisional General Pascualino Angiolillo Fernández |
| Chief of Staff, Venezuelan Army | Divisional General Francisco Antonio Espinoza Guyón |
| Notable commanders | |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | .svg) |
The Bolivarian Army of Venezuela (Spanish: Ejército Bolivariano), is the land arm of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela.[2] Also known as Bolivarian Army (Ejército Bolivariano, EB), its role is to be responsible for land-based operations against external or internal threats that may put the sovereignty of the nation at risk. The army is the second largest military branch of Venezuela after the Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana, MB).[2]
Its current commander is Major General José Murga Baptista.[3] The army depends directly on the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense, under the orders of the general commander and the president of the Republic in his position as commander in chief of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces. It is divided into six combat arms and four commands; operations, logistics, education and Army Aviation.
The command officers, troop officers, technicians and military surgeons belonging to the Venezuelan Army are graduates of the military academies of the Bolivarian Military University of Venezuela and are commissioned with the rank of Second Lieutenant, the academies are as follows:
- Military Academy of the Bolivarian Army,
- Military Academy of Troop Officers C-in-C Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías,
- Bolivarian Military Technical Academy,
- Military Academy of Health Sciences
Unlike most of the officer corps the sergeants (professional NCOs) and recruits completing basic training, as well as Army officer candidates of civilian background, study in separate schools.[4]
The Venezuelan Army marks its birth by its victory in the Battle of Carabobo on 24 June 1821 over the Empire of Spain, which led to the independence of the nation. It later contributed to the independence of the present-day countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia.
- ^ "2019 Venezuela Military Strength". Global Firepower. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Ley Orgánica de la FANB" (PDF). Gazeta Oficial de la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela (in Spanish).
- ^ Díaz, José Manuel Blanco (8 July 2023). "Así quedó conformado el Alto Mando Militar venezolano". Radio Miraflores (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "Decreto Presidencial N° 7.662 Artículo 1". Gaceta Oficial de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela (in Spanish). 39 (502). 3 September 2010.