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
Formed	April 19, 1810; 206 years ago (1810-04-19) (as War and Navy Bureau)
Headquarters	Caracas, 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	Vladimir Padrino López
Child agencies	Strategic Command Operations Bolivarian National Army Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela Bolivarian Air Force of Venezuela Bolivarian National Guard Bolivarian National Militia of Venezuela

The Venezuelan Ministry of People's Power for Defense is the federal-level organisation 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.