. The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, authorized this Monday the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino, to demote from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and expel from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) the soldiers involved in the conspiracy plans denounced by the Public Prosecutor's Office, which included the assassination Leaders and attacks on military facilities.
Photo: Miraflores Press/EFE – Miraflores Press
A total of 33 Venezuelan soldiers have been demoted and expelled from the armed forces for allegedly being linked to murder “conspiracies” denounced by authorities this week, a move questioned by experts and in the crosshairs of the United States stands.
A statement identified one division general, two colonels, six lieutenant colonels, nine majors, two captains, six first lieutenants and seven sergeants by first and last name.
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They are allegedly “engaged in conspiracies by planning criminal and terrorist actions to attack the legitimately constituted government system, the authorities and institutions of the State and the Venezuelan people, and are even considering the assassination of the first national leader, all of which play a role. “Treason against the homeland,” declared Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
“These traitors, who should never have had and worn the military uniform (…), are not worthy,” Padrino said in a video published on his social networks. “They are groups that do not represent the armed forces at all.”
The military is the mainstay of President Nicolás Maduro's government and has repeatedly reaffirmed its loyalty to him.
In addition to weapons, they control mining, oil and food distribution companies as well as customs and important ministries.
The opposition and NGOs denounce corruption networks that have enriched many officials.
“auxiliary penalties”
Reports of killings are common in Chavismo, which celebrates 25 years in power in 2024 and whose continuity is at stake in elections for which there is still no date. Venezuelan prosecutors reported on Monday the arrest of 32 people, including civilians and military personnel, over these alleged plots and announced further arrests on Tuesday, without specifying a number.
They are all linked to five suspected plots to assassinate Maduro that were uncovered in 2023 and earlier this year, according to Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who also accused the complicity of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the U.S. Secret Service (CIA) denounced. .as well as actors from the Colombian army.
Padrino also agreed with these allegations. “I say to the imperial sewers of the CIA, the DEA, those who are also being played into the hands of the traitorous Venezuelans here: We never tire of fighting,” he said in the video.
Rocío San Miguel, a military expert and frequent critic of the government, noted irregularities in the demotion and expulsion that took place in the ministry's main courtyard.
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He explained that the measures were “ancillary penalties” to a main penalty and had to be public. “They are subject to judicial control and the provisions of the Organic Code of Military Justice must be adhered to,” he emphasized in a statement from his NGO Citizen Control.
“There are several aspects that are unknown about these expulsions and demotions of military personnel.”
“Complicit positioning”
For its part, the United States expressed “deep concern” about the recent arrests, which, according to the White House, were made for “not very credible” reasons.
“Arrests without due process violate the spirit of the October 2023 election agreement,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Tuesday.
It refers to what the opposition and the Venezuelan government signed in Barbados to hold presidential elections in the second half of this year under international observation. In return, Washington eased a strict embargo on Venezuelan crude oil.
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Venezuela “categorically” rejected the “cynical” statement. “The government of the United States of America has lost its moral compass” by “condemning.” Venezuela for taking measures (…) to maintain peace.”
“It is not surprising that Washington is siding with the architects of the foiled terrorist operations Venezuela and even gives them their accomplice position,” he added. “Defending these destabilizing actions promotes violence and jeopardizes the normal development of the 2024 electoral process.”
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