Venezuela Army

The Ejercito Bolivariano serves as the land component of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela. Higher command and operational control flow through the Strategic Operational Command, with force employment organized regionally under Strategic Integral Defense Regions and localized Integral Defense Zones. The field army is organized into six operational divisions: the 1st Infantry Division in Maracaibo, the 2nd Infantry Division in San Cristobal, the 3rd Infantry Division in Caracas, the 4th Armored Division in Maracay, the 5th Jungle Infantry Division in Ciudad Bolivar, and the 9th Cavalry Division in San Fernando de Apure. These divisions oversee specialized sub-units, including armored, mechanized, motorized, mountain infantry, jungle infantry, and Caribbean ranger brigades.

Armored units operate T-72B1 main battle tanks and modernized AMX-30V main battle tanks, supported by Scorpion-90 and AMX-13 light tanks. Mechanized and motorized infantry formations field BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles and BTR-80A armored personnel carriers, alongside Chinese-supplied VN-1 and VN-4 wheeled armored vehicles, Dragoon 300s, and V-150 Commandos. Artillery regiments employ 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, BM-30 Smerch heavy multiple launch rocket systems, and BM-21 Grad rocket launchers, complemented by M114 towed howitzers and Oto Melara Mod 56 pack howitzers. Ground-based air defense organic to army units includes Pechora-2M and Buk-M2E surface-to-air missile systems, Igla-S man-portable missiles, and ZU-23-2 twin anti-aircraft guns. Army aviation assets consist of Mi-35M2 attack helicopters, Mi-17V-5 transport helicopters, Mi-26T2 heavy transport helicopters, and AS532 Cougar utility helicopters.

Domestic defense production and maintenance are coordinated through the state enterprise Compania Anonima Venezolana de Industrias Militares, which manufactures small arms ammunition and explosives. Recent domestic programs have focused on the overhauling and upgrading of legacy systems, such as refitting British-origin Scorpion-90 light tanks and French AMX-30 tanks with updated fire-control and thermal optics. Primary operational tasks focus on territorial defense, border security, and counter-narcotics missions. Ground forces have engaged in counter-insurgency operations along the western border with Colombia, particularly in Apure state against irregular armed groups. In eastern border regions, operational deployments have included troop movements, airstrip expansions, and infrastructure engineering on Anacoco Island and surrounding areas along the border with Guyana.