A Deep Dive into the Decay of Venezuela’s Military Under Dictatorship
This text paints a stark and damning picture of the Venezuelan military under the Maduro regime, arguing it’s a deeply corrupted and dysfunctional institution propped up by political manipulation and a bloated officer corps. Here’s a breakdown of the key arguments and their implications:
1. The Absurdity of the General Count:
* Massive Over-Promotion: The core argument is the sheer number of generals (2,200) compared to other nations – tripling the US, multiplying Spain and Mexico tenfold and fivefold respectively. This isn’t a sign of strength, but of systemic corruption and political patronage.
* Deviation from Norms: The author highlights the standard ratio of one general per 1,600-1,800 personnel, demonstrating how Venezuela drastically deviates from best practices.
* Implication: This overabundance of generals isn’t based on merit or need, but on rewarding loyalty and providing positions of power and access to illicit wealth.
2.the Rot Within the Ranks:
* Precarious Conditions: The text details the dire situation of lower-ranking officers and soldiers: low pay, multiple jobs for survival, rampant corruption, decaying equipment, and poor living conditions.
* Inflated Numbers & Desertion: The regime falsely inflates the size of the armed forces while concurrently concealing the high rate of desertions. The actual fighting force is estimated at under 70,000,many of whom are in administrative roles and disarmed.
* Morale & Discontent: A pervasive sense of disillusionment and anger permeates the ranks, stemming from corruption, exploitation, and being forced into illegal activities.
* Implication: This paints a picture of a demoralized and ineffective military, more concerned with survival and personal gain than national defense.
3.The “Generals of the Dollar and Euro”:
* Corruption as a Way of Life: The vast majority of these generals aren’t leading troops, but are deeply involved in corruption – controlling customs, permits, checkpoints, prisons, imports, and even drug trafficking.
* Beneficiaries of the System: They are described as profiting from ”rackets, commissions, money laundering, drug friendships and the construction of drug shelters.”
* Implication: The military has become a tool for personal enrichment and maintaining the power of the dictatorship,rather than serving the nation.
4. The Origins of Humiliation & Control: Chávez & Maduro’s Tactics:
* Chávez’s “Hello, president” & Public Humiliation: the author points to Chávez’s early use of televised displays of forced loyalty – making generals publicly fawn over him – as the foundation of the current system.
* Maduro & Cabello’s Continuation: Maduro and figures like Diosdado Cabello continue this practice, even showcasing torturers on television.
* Totalitarian Control: This public humiliation is a intentional strategy to demonstrate the military’s subservience and transform it into a “praetorian guard” – a force solely dedicated to protecting the regime.
* implication: The military’s independence and professionalism have been systematically eroded, replaced by a culture of fear, obedience, and corruption.
Overall Significance:
This text is a powerful indictment of the Venezuelan dictatorship and its impact on the armed forces.It argues that the military is no longer a national institution, but a corrupt and subservient tool used to maintain the regime’s grip on power. The author suggests that this situation is not new, but has been systematically cultivated as the beginning of chávez’s rule.
The text’s tone is highly critical and accusatory, clearly intended to expose the corruption and dysfunction within the Venezuelan military. It serves as a strong argument against the legitimacy of the Maduro regime and highlights the urgent need for reform and accountability.
