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Venezuela NATIONAL SECURITY
Armed Forces: In 1990 total strength of the
National
Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales--FAN) estimated
at
69,000, broken down into 34,000 army personnel, 10,000
navy,
5,000 air force, and 20,000 Armed Forces of Cooperation
(Fuerzas
Armadas de Cooperación--FAC)--also known as the National
Guard.
Military Units: Army organized into five
divisions, one
for each military region, several independent units in
capital
area. Navy included main squadron at Puerto Cabello,
marine
infantry corps, naval aviation command, River Forces
Command, and
Coast Guard. Air Force organized into three commands: Air
Combat
Command, Air Logistics Command, and Air Training Command.
Equipment: Armor and artillery assets somewhat
antiquated. Major naval vessels--including British-built
"Constitution"-class fast attack craft, Italian "Lupo"
missile
frigates, and German Type 209 submarines--purchased during
1970s.
Air Force equipped with most modern weaponry, including
United
States F-16 and French Mirage fighters.
Police: FAC functioned as paramilitary internal
security force at national level. Other federal police
organizations included Directorate of Intelligence and
Prevention
Services (Dirección de Seguridad e Inteligencia
Policial--Disip)
under Ministry of Interior, Technical and Judicial Police
(Policía Técnica y Judicial--PTJ) under Ministry of
Justice, and
Traffic Police under Ministry of Transport and
Communications.
These three organizations totaled some 8,000 personnel in
1990.
Some 18,000 personnel in state, metropolitan, and
municipal
police forces exercised local jurisdiction. Largest such
force
was Metropolitan Police Force of Caracas, with about 9,000
members.
Data as of December 1990
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