Venezuela’s Comprehensive National Defense Command Law, adopted on November 11, 2025, has marked the beginning of a new era in the country’s security architecture.[i] The law has presented a new doctrinal framework in which not only military forces but also state institutions and citizens are included in the defense process on the basis of “shared responsibility.” This approach has defined the idea of “army-people” and “people-army” integration, which has long existed in Bolivarian thought, on an institutional basis. The law’s entry into force at a time of heightened regional tension has suggested that the security doctrine aims to respond not only to national needs but also to the dynamics shaping the region.
This new legal regulation has marked a multidimensional transformation in Venezuela’s understanding of defense. The concepts of social, economic, and production security incorporated into the text have shown that national defense is not viewed as an area limited solely to military capacity. Thus, defense has been placed within a framework that encompasses social cohesion. This approach has revealed that the relationship between national defense and the continuity of public services is defined as a strategic priority. In this context, the law has emphasized that the uninterrupted continuation of economic production, infrastructure services, and public order are integral parts of national security.
One of the noteworthy provisions of the law has been the extension of defense commands to three levels of administration (national, state, and municipal).[ii] This multi-layered structure has aimed to localize defense processes geographically and administratively, thereby accelerating decision-making and coordination mechanisms. While strengthening the coordination role of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces Strategic Operational Command at the national level, it has paved the way for commands to be established at subordinate levels to operate more flexibly and in line with regional conditions. This model has demonstrated that the defense reflex is fed not only by a centralized structure but also by local institutions and communities.
The five working committees established under the law have demonstrated the importance of functional specialization in Venezuela’s defense doctrine. The inclusion of units such as the Economic Production and Services Committee and the Social Popular Committee has underlined the multi-layered nature of the country’s defense. The Internal Order Committee and the Mobilization and Requisition Committee, on the other hand, have revealed that rapid coordination and resource management is seen as a critical element in times of crisis. The inclusion of the Bolivarian Patriotic Committee has pointed to the role of ideological unity and national identity in the security architecture.
Immediately after the law came into effect, the activation of all Defense Commands by President Nicolas Maduro has shown that the practical effects of the regulation were implemented without delay. This step has been taken in connection with military movements in the region and has been evaluated in light of developments within the framework of the Southern Spear Operation announced by the United States (US), particularly in relation to the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier located in the Caribbean. It has been stated that the Maduro administration intends to strengthen its defense capabilities on the basis of “national integrity.” It has been stated that the goal is to improve coordination between state institutions, popular organizations, and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces during this process.
The escalation of the discursive tension between Caracas and Washington in the regional context has formed an important backdrop for the interpretation of the defense law. The expansion of the scope of the anti-narcotics operations conducted by the US in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific has been assessed by Venezuela in the context of sovereignty sensitivities. It has been stated that the operation, announced by the US under the slogan “America’s neighborhood,” is seen as a strategic priority for Washington.[iii] In response, Venezuela has emphasized that these operations must be monitored with great care in terms of regional stability and diplomatic balances. In this context, it has been understood that Caracas defines its defense law as a framework that responds to the updated requirements of national security.
In terms of international repercussions, Russia’s statement has demonstrated that Venezuela attaches importance to multilateral diplomacy in its foreign relations. Russia’s emphasis on the principle of a “Latin America and Caribbean Zone of Peace” has reflected its traditional view that the region should be seen as an area closed to external intervention in security matters.[iv] Venezuela’s positive response to this statement has signaled the continuation of strategic rapprochement between the two countries. This situation has demonstrated that Caracas does not limit its defense doctrine to internal arrangements alone, but also evaluates it in an international context.
Comments from opposition circles in the context of domestic politics have shown that the law has paved the way for debates on constitutional principles and individual freedoms. Some actors have argued that ambiguous language in the text could lead to different interpretations in practice. However, these debates can be seen as a natural process in Venezuela’s pluralistic political environment. The expression of different perspectives in a strategic area such as national defense has indicated a normal situation in terms of the functioning of political institutions. In this context, it has been anticipated that the implementation process of the new law will be closely monitored by both national and international observers.
Considering regional dynamics, the increased military presence in the Caribbean and the rhetorical tension in US-Venezuela relations have reopened discussions on Latin America’s security architecture. It has been observed that countries in the region are following these developments with cautious diplomacy. The fact that some Latin American governments expressed concerns about the operations has shown that the region prioritizes dialogue and peaceful solutions over military tensions. In this context, Venezuela’s new defense law has been evaluated not only as a domestic regulation but also as a reflection of regional security perceptions.
Consequently, Venezuela has updated its defense doctrine during a period of intense internal and external dynamics. The law has aimed to strengthen national capacity through an integrated approach. Regional developments have demonstrated that the country’s security strategy requires a multidimensional assessment. It has been envisaged that the steps to be taken by both Caracas and Washington in the coming period could have a decisive impact on the overall security atmosphere in Latin America. All these processes have shown that Venezuela’s defense approach has been shaped by both internal consolidation and the search for adaptation to the external environment.
[i] Ruiz, Luis Alejandro. “Venezuela Activates Its New Comprehensive Defense Command Law Amid Rising Tensions with the U.S.” Guacamaya, guacamayave.com/en/venezuela-activates-its-new-comprehensive-defense-command-law-amid-rising-tensions-with-the-u-s/, (Access Date: 22.11.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
