The Venezuelan Ministry of People's Power for Defense 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.
History
1810 Established as War and Navy Bureau
1863 Ministry of War
1874 Ministry of War and Navy
1946 Became Ministry of National Defense
1951 Name amended to Ministry of Defense
2007 Renamed Ministry of People's Power for Defense by presidential decree
Lists of ministers of defense
See also
Cabinet of Venezuela
References
External links
Sitio oficial del Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Defensa de Venezuela y los Ex-Ministros Sitio oficial del Ejército Libertador (Venezuela) Sitio oficial de la Armada de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela Sitio oficial de la Aviación Militar de Venezuela Sitio oficial de la Guardia Nacional de Venezuela Sitio oficial de la Aviación del Ejército del Venezuela