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Venezuela The Armed Forces of Cooperation (National Guard)
The Armed Forces of Cooperation (Fuerzas Armadas de
Cooperación--FAC)--also known as the National Guard--was a
domestic paramilitary force that was incorporated into the
FAN in
1954. In 1990 the FAC numbered approximately 20,000. Its
operational commands included the Logistics Command, the
Air
Operations Command, and the Operations Command. The
tactical chain of command ran from
Commander of the FAC downward through three regional commands
headquartered at San Antonio de Tachira in the western Andean
region, Maracaibo, and Caracas. Regional commanders, in turn,
exercised authority over local battalion-sized detachments. Eight
mobile detachments functioned as a reserve force, available for
deployment to any area of the country in response to threats to
internal security or border security. FAC personnel also provided
static defense of certain public buildings, oil installations, and
penal institutions. In addition, the FAC patrolled the nation's
highway system, functioning as a federal police force.
The FAC was equipped as a light infantry force, with the standard
FN FAL assault rifle and mortars up to 81mm. Its armored assets
consisted of forty armored personnel carriers (see table 16,
Appendix). It also employed seventy-seven small craft for coastal
and river patrol duties. Air assets included both fixed-wing craft
and helicopters.
FAC recruits, all volunteers, underwent a one-year training course
at the Ramo Verde School at Los Teques. Officer candidates were
required to study for an additional four years at the Officers
Training School in Caracas. Postgraduate studies for officers were
available at the Advanced Officers School at Caricuao, near
Caracas.
Data as of December 1990
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