[quote][b][url=/v3/forum/am%C3%A9rique-15/topic/fuerza-a%C3%A9rea-venezolana-v%C3%A9n%C3%A9zuela-42/?post=17657#post-17657]pilou[/url] a dit le 29/09/2007 à 14:13 :[/b]

[url=http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw070928_1_n.shtml]Socialism: alive and well in the new Venezuela[/url]

[quote]Venezuela has grabbed the headlines in Latin American defence news over the past two years. The country has pursued a re-equipment strategy that has seen the acquisition of dozens of helicopters, 100,000 assault rifles and two dozen Sukhoi Su-30MK air-superiority fighters. 

More deliveries are on the way, with orders expected for a number of pieces of equipment from S-300PMU-1 air-defence systems to more 'Kilo'-class diesel-electric patrol submarines. However, more than anything else, Venezuela has drawn attention because of the rhetoric from President Hugo Chavez, who appears keen to turn Venezuela, the region's oldest democracy, into a militarised state. 

Venezuela's armed forces were, for most of the second part of the 20th century, a good example of a professional, modern and competent fighting force, at least by Latin American standards. The National Armed Forces comprise four traditional elements: an army, navy, air force and national guard. They have been traditionally non-political, but recent changes within the armed forces - and a deeper relationship with the Cuban military - have prompted a rethink about their roles and missions. While some institutional change has been under way since 1999, the past few months have seen an acceleration of this process, from symbolism and rhetoric that equates the regime's importance to the survival of the modern state to organic, administrative and constitutional changes. 

In March, the Venezuelan Army began the promotion of what it calls "the new military thought" among its ranks, redefining the armed forces' active role in the consolidation of 21st century socialism in Venezuela. This was re-affirmed during May, with the official elevation of a new motto: 'Country, Socialism or Death!'. Each soldier must pronounce these words before referring to a superior. Accordingly, the non-political nature of the armed forces has been challenged as the motto suggests that the armed forces should support whoever is in power and, in this case, socialism is the government's policy. 
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© 2007 Jane's Information Group[/quote][/quote]