MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuela announces “Ayacucho 2024” plan to transform its Armed Forces

Padrino spoke of a “deep process” to “correct everything that needs to be corrected.”

Venezuelan authorities have expressed their concern about Guyana's plans to reinforce its military capabilities amid ongoing tensions over the oil-rich Essequibo region and announced a plan for the transformation of its Armed Forces in response.

The administration of President Nicolás Maduro spoke of the “continuous disrespect” on Guyana's part to last year's commitments to achieving a peaceful solution.

Due to “the avalanche of circumstances we have faced”, the Venezuelan Government launched a plan for the “necessary transformations” of its Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López explained about the so-called Ayacucho 2024 Plan, within the framework of the 7T, a program which comprises “seven strategic lines” for the economic recovery of the country and its social transformation. The '7T' was announced last month by President Nicolás Maduro.

Padrino said that this FANB transformation project will be implemented immediately and comprises a “deep process” of changes to “correct everything that needs to be corrected.”

On Jan. 24, Padrino reported the expulsion of 33 members of the Armed Forces “involved in conspiracies” against the Government, which included Maduro's assassination. He also said that the FANB would be “forceful” with the “traitors” because “deceit and disloyalty imply the breaking of the laws of military honor.” These expulsions followed the announcement by the Attorney General's Office of the arrest of more than 30 people, both civilians and military, allegedly involved in five conspiracies to kill Maduro and assault military installations.

After learning of these alleged conspiracy plots, Maduro called on the members of the FANB to remain “alert and prepared for whatever may come out”, as well as to show their loyalty to the Government in the face of any plan against the Constitution.