The core mission of an armed force in a democratic republic centers on constitutional defense rather than regime preservation or political tutelage, according to an analysis published in August 2026 by industrial engineer and researcher David Alberto Morán Bohórquez. The study examines the structural evolution and institutional fatigue of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela (FANB), pointing to deep-seated politization, technical degradation, and the expansion of military involvement into strategic economic sectors like the oil industry.
Institutional Fatigue and the Erosion of Meritocracy
According to Morán’s evaluation, the contemporary state of the Venezuelan military stems from a continuous process of institutional exhaustion where political loyalty replaced professional merit, tactical doctrine, and equipment maintenance. The researcher notes that the institution moved away from the professionalization model established in 1958, which subordinated armed branches to democratically elected civil authorities. Ideological alignment within command structures fractured the organizational pyramid, triggering a significant departure of qualified talent from military academies and active combat units.
“The mission fundamental of a Fuerza Armada en una república democrática no es sostener gobiernos, tutelar la voluntad popular ni actuar como el brazo armado de una parcialidad ideológica; su única misión es proteger la Constitución, garantizar la integridad territorial y defender a todos los ciudadanos sin distinción,” Morán states in the analysis.
The Civil-Engineer Defense Model and Technological Modernization
To reverse this institutional decline, Morán proposes a civil-engineer defense model. This framework strictly subordinates military forces to the law and legitimate civilian authority while shifting the human profile of the soldier toward high-performance technical operations. Rather than relying on traditional combat readiness alone, modern defense strategies demand advanced capabilities, including:
- Combat engineers and software developers
- Drone operators and remote pilots
- Open-source intelligence and data analysts
- Electronic warfare and cyber defense specialists
- Strategic linguists and geospatial analysts
Morán argues that future security relies less on raw troop numbers or heavy armaments and more on technological integration, leadership quality, institutional strength, and public trust. Rebuilding the military institution, the researcher asserts, functions as a vital prerequisite for rebuilding the republic itself.
Financial Reform and Logistical Efficiency
Addressing defense economics, Morán advocates for intelligent national defense financing based on public management, financial engineering, and strict anti-corruption controls. Rather than increasing overall budgets, the proposal emphasizes eliminating redundancy and bureaucratic overhead. Key administrative adjustments include:
- Comprehensive asset audits and logistics restructuring
- Institutionalization of dedicated intendancy officers for base administration
- Consolidation of supply chains through unified storage networks
- Elimination of direct financial management by individual tactical units
The analysis notes that historical acquisitions of heavy weaponry frequently occurred without comprehensive lifecycle planning or reliable maintenance support, leading to widespread obsolescence under the weight of budgetary constraints and international sanctions.
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