Ministry of Defense (Venezuela)

Ministry of People's Power for Defense
Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa
Seal of the Ministry of People's Power for Defense
Flag

Ministry of Defense in Caracas.
Ministry overview
FormedApril 19, 1810; 214 years ago (1810-04-19) (as War and Navy Bureau)
JurisdictionGovernment of Venezuela
HeadquartersCaracas, Venezuela
10°27′38.9″N 66°53′58.4″W / 10.460806°N 66.899556°W / 10.460806; -66.899556 (Ministry of Defense)
Minister responsible

The Venezuelan Ministry of People's Power for Defense (Spanish: Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa) is the federal-level organization responsible for maintaining the Venezuelan armed forces. As of October 2014, this ministry is headed by General Vladimir Padrino López. The ministry coordinates numerous counter-narcotics operations (e.g., Operation Sierra through the CUFAN organ), helps perform various civil support and social development programs, and oversees the conventional military capabilities of Venezuela.