Venezuela adds civilian militia to armed forces

[Bacchus4.0]

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/venezuela-adds-civilian-militia-armed-forces-200211200206055.html

Venezuela has designated its civilian militia as part of the country's military, according to the country's official gazette, an administrative change that on paper at least will vastly expand the armed forces that have been crucial in keeping President Nicolas Maduro in power.

The militia now stands as a branch of the armed forces alongside the army, navy, air force and national guard. Maduro in January said the militia has 3.7 million members, compared with around 150,000 active members of the other branches.
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Military key to holding power

The military has been crucial in allowing Maduro to retain power despite a hyperinflationary economic crisis that has led nearly five million people to leave the country. Troops have participated in violent crackdowns of opposition protests and military intelligence has been active in snuffing out potential uprisings.

The militia, created by late socialist leader Hugo Chavez as part of a broad reorganisation of the armed forces, has played a significantly less important role. Its members are often seen working as security guards at government offices such as hospitals or metro stations, and frequently appear at government rallies.

[COLGATE4]

1. Just what Venezuela needs - more armed thugs vested with

the authority of the State. That should work out well.