Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela
Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela
Coat of Arms of the Navy
Founded1811 (1811)
Country Venezuela
TypeNavy
RoleDefense of Venezuela's coastline and maritime and inland waters
Size2 submarines, 2 frigates, 6 OPV, 25 patrol boats,4 landing ship tank, 3 auxiliary ships
Part ofNational Armed Forces of Venezuela
PatronVirgen del Valle
Motto(s)Navigare necesse, vivere non necesse (Latin: "Sailing is necessary, but living is not".)
ColorsNavy blue  
MarchMarcha Epica de las Fuerzas Navales (English: "Grand March of the National Navy")
AnniversariesJuly 24, Birthday of Simon Bolivar, Navy Day and Battle of Lake Maracaibo Anniversary
EngagementsVenezuelan War of Independence and the Battle of Lake Maracaibo
Insignia
Naval ensign
Naval jack
Flag

The Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela (Spanish: Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela), commonly known as the Venezuelan Navy, is the naval branch of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan Navy serves the purpose of defending the naval sovereignty of Venezuela, including inland and fluvial security, and it also serves to prevent illegal activities on Venezuela's borders and collaborates with international organizations to safeguard international waters from criminal activities.

History

The Venezuelan Navy was born as a coastal defense force during the beginning of the Venezuelan War of Independence. In May 1810, Commander Lino de Clemente, a veteran officer of the Spanish Navy who joined the April 1810 coup against the colonial government, was appointed the first Minister of Defense of the republic and began the long building of the armed forces including the formation of the navy. In April 1811 the Nautical School, with Ensign Vicente Parrado as its first superintendent, was opened by order of the national government in La Guaira to train future naval officers, months before the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence, thus the Navy's origins start from this date, with its first vessels being those formerly used by the naval forces of the Captaincy General of Venezuela, and participated in its first actions in the campaigns in Guayana in 1811-12, the baptism of fire for the fledgling naval service. Colonel Antonio Mendoza from the Venezuelan Army was its first commanding general.

For a long time their vessels, even if obsolete, were maintained properly by its sailors. In 1937 the Navy acquired from Italy two gunboats of the Azio class and rechristened them General Soublette and General Urdaneta; these ships were retained in service until 1951[1] (for other sources in 1948[2] or 1950[3][4]) and scrapped later.[5][6]

Joint exercises

In September 2008, the Russian Navy's nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, accompanied by three other ships of Russia's Northern Fleet, sailed from its base in Severomorsk on a cruise to the Caribbean Sea for a joint exercise with the Venezuelan Navy. This action represented the first major Russian power projection in that region since the end of the Cold War.[7][8] The fleet of ships, headed by the nuclear-powered Pyotr Velikiy, set off from its base at Severomorsk in the Arctic on 22 September. Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo told the AFP news agency, "It's the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Peter the Great, the anti-submarine warship Admiral Chebanenko and other accompanying ships". The other ships included a tug boat and supply ships.[9]

Crisis in Venezuela

During a 2019 crisis in Venezuela, the Venezuelan Navy became engaged in the conflict when it began to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid into the country.[10] A ship departing from Puerto Rico attempted to ship aid into the Venezuelan port city of Puerto Cabello.[10] Six vessels of the Venezuelan Navy, including the Mariscal Sucre-class frigate Almirante Brion and patrol boats, were deployed to prevent the entry of the aid shipment.[11] The ship, carrying civilians, returned to Puerto Rico after the Venezuelan Navy threatened to "open fire" on the humanitarian ship.[10] Governor of Puerto Rico Ricardo Rossello, who ordered the return of the ship, stated that the act by the Venezuelan Navy was "unacceptable and shameful" and that Puerto Rico "notified our partners in the U.S. government about this serious incident".[12]

On 30 March 2020, the Venezuelan patrol boat Naiguatá sank after a collision with the polar ice class cruise liner RCGS Resolute, while in international waters.[13][14] According to RCGS Resolute's owner, the Coast Guard ship had fired shots[14] and ordered the cruise ship to follow it to Margarita Island, a Venezuelan harbour.[15] Naiguatá sank following the collision, with RCGS Resolute informing the international Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the incident and offering assistance. After staying in the area for an hour, RCGS Resolute was informed through MRCC that assistance was not required as Naiguatá's crew had been rescued by the Venezuelan Navy.[16] According to the Portuguese after-incident investigation, RCGS Resolute had departed Buenos Aires on 5 March and sailed to the Caribbean Sea. She was contacted by Venezuelan patrol boat Naiguatá on the night of 30 March. Two hours later, an unexpected change in Naiguatá's heading just before the collision may have been caused by a suction effect between the vessels as the faster patrol boat passed the bow of the cruise ship. Although the collision may have not been intentional ramming, the conclusion was nonetheless that the incident that led to the sinking of Naiguatá was a deliberate act initiated by the Venezuelan Navy rather than an accidental occurrence.[17]

Organization of the Navy

As of 2016, Admiral Orlando Miguel Maneiro Gaspar was the Commanding General of the National Navy.[18]

The Naval Operations Command is commanded by the Chief of Naval Operations. In 2014, this was Vice Admiral Antonio Díaz Clemente.[19] This command is aimed towards the defense of the territorial maritime and inland waters and the coastline of the nation, and by extension into its ground and air territories.

Venezuelan Naval Aviation

Venezuelan Naval Aviation serves as the air arm of the Venezuelan Navy, with responsibility for air operations and transport for the entire Navy.[20]

Coast Guard

Headquartered in La Guaira, Vargas, the Venezuelan Coast Guard is responsible for the surveillance of Venezuela's jurisdictional waters.[21]

List of current and former ships

Class Image Type Ships Origin Note
Submarine (formerly 2)
Type 209Diesel-electricS-31 Sábalo (1976)
S-32 Caribe (1978)
 Germany1,810 tonnes; status of both boats unclear as of 2020[22]
Mini-submarine (1)
VAS 525Mini-submarine with reversible DC electric motorN/A Italy100 tonnes+;[23] As of 2020, a diver transport minisub was in use with the Venezuelan Navy.[24]
Frigates (formerly 1; scrapped in 2022)
Mariscal Sucre classMissile frigates

FF-22 Almirante Brion (dismantled, scrapped in 2022)[25]

 Italy2,506 tonnes
Offshore patrol vessels (4)
Guaiquerí classOffshore patrol vesselsPC-21 Guaiquerí
PC-23 Yekuana
 Spain2,419 tons
Guaicamacuto classOffshore patrol vesselsGC-21 Guaicamacuto
GC-22 Yavire

(GC-23 Naiguatá sunk on 30 March 2020)[17]

 Spain1,453 tons
Gunboat (6)
Constitución classGunboatPC-11 Constitución
PC-12 Federación
PC-13 Independencia
PC-14 Libertad
PC-15 Patria
PC-16 Victoria
 United Kingdom950 tons
Patrol boat (19)
Págalo classPatrol boatPG-51 Págalo
PG-52 Caricare
 Netherlands
Fernando Gómez de Saa classPatrol boatPG-61 TN Fernando Gómez de Saa Netherlands
Petrel classPatrol boatPG-31 Petrel
PG-32 Alcatraz
PG-33 Albatros
PG-34 Pelícano
 USA
Gavión classPatrol boatPG-401 Gavión
PG-402 Alca
PG-403 Bernacia
PG-404 Chamán
PG-405 Cormorán
PG-406 Colimbo
PG-407 Fardela
PG-408 Sumarela
PG-409 Negrón
PG-410 Pigargo
PG-411 Pagaza
PG-412 Serreta
 USA
Amphibious ship and service ships (3)
Ciudad Bolívar classSupply shipT-81 Ciudad Bolívar South Korea ?
Bricbarc type
Simón Bolívar
Training sailboatBE-11 Simón Bolívar Spain ?
Punta Brava classOceanographic shipBO-11 Punta Brava Spain ?

Fleet forces and Coast Guard ship organization

Light frigates

Venezuelan frigates General Salóm (foreground) and Mariscal Sucre conduct maneuvers
  • One Lupo/Mariscal Sucre-class missile frigates class[26]
    • F-22 Almirante Brion, in service 1981[27]

Offshore patrol vessels

PC-21 Guaiquerí
  • Six Spanish-made offshore patrol vessels of the Guaiquerí class. One ship, PC-22 Warao is out of service. It was taken to Fortaleza, Brazil following a grounding incident in 2012,[28] and subsequently to Rio de Janeiro.[29][30]
    • PC-21 Guaiquerí, in service[31]
    • PC-23 Yekuana, in service
    • PC-24 Kariña, in service
  • One Spanish-made offshore patrol vessels of the Guaicamacuto class. One ship, GC-23 Naiguatá, was sunk after it rammed a cruise ship in 2020.[32]
    • GC-21 Guaicamacuto, was in service as of 2011.[33] Current operational status unknown.

Amphibious and service ships

  • Four Capana-class LST.
    • T-61 Capana, into service 1983, as of 2001.[34]
    • T-64 Los Llanos, into service 1983, was still in service as of 2001 as of 2001.[34]
  • Four Los Frailes-class LST
  • One Ciudad Bolívar-class supply ship.
    • T-81 Ciudad Bolívar, was in service in 2001[35]
  • One Bricbarc type/Simón Bolívar training sailboat.[36]
  • One Almirante Francisco de Miranda-class tugboat[37]

Coast guard ships

PG-51, a Damen Stan 2606

In 2006, Venezuela had four patrol boats, 2 more Venezuelan-built by 2008, and perhaps some others which are not verified. It is unclear how many, or if any, are still operational in 2023.[36]

CASA 212

Airplanes

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service
as of 2020
Notes
CASA C-212 Spain Maritime patrol/transport aircraft C-212-200S43 Patrullero
C-212-400
2
3[41]
Beechcraft Super King Air United States Transport/liaison aircraft B200
B90
1
1[41]
Cessna 208 Caravan United States Transport aircraft 1[41]
Turbo Commander United States Transport aircraft 1[41]

Helicopters

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service
as of 2012
Notes
Mil Mi-17 Russia Assault/transport helicopter Mi-17V-5 6[41]
Harbin Z-9 China Anti-submarine warfare 8 on order[41] First delivery was planned for 2015, as of 2019 no unit has been seen operating the type. [42]
Bell 206 United States Training light helicopter TH-57A 2[41]
Bell 212 United States Assault/transport helicopter 9[41] One Bell 212 was taken out of service following an accident on 31 May 2018, which killed the pilot.[43]

List of Commanders of the Navy

Commanders of the Boliviarian Navy of Venezuela
Commanding general Term of office
COL ANTONIO MENDOZA1811 - 1812
ADM LUIS BRION DETROX1816 - 1820
VADM LINO DE CLEMENTE Y PALACIOS1820 - 1822
RADM AGUSTIN ARMARIO1822 - 1827
CPT FELIPE SANTIAGO1827 - 1828
RADM RENATO BELUCHE LAPORTE1828 - 1829
CPT FELIPE SANTIAGO1829 - 1830
CDR JOAQUÍN QUINTERO1860
GEN MANUEL E., BRUZUAL1863 - 1868
RADM JOSE RAMON YEPES MOREN1874 - 1879
GEN FROILAN ANZOLA AQUINO1879
GEN AGUSTIN COLL FONT1879 - 1880
BRIG/RADM RAMON GIMENEZ GOMEZ1880
GEN CARLOS T IRWIN1880 - 1882
GEN FRANCISCO VARGUILLAS AQUINO1886
GEN FRANCISCO CARABAÑO1886 - 1888
GEN ANDRES EUSEBIO LEVEL1888 - 1892
GEN JOSE A PEREZ CALVO1892
GEN MARTIN JOSE VELARDE1892 - 1894
GENERAL MANUEL ANTONIO SANCHEZ1894 - 1895
GENERAL MANUEL SALVADOR BRICEÑO1895 - 1896
GENERAL RAMON GORDILS1896 - 1897
COL J M ESPAÑA NUÑEZ1897 - 1902
COMMO MANUEL VICENTE CASTRO ZAVALA1902 - 1910
COMMO ISMAEL PEREIRA ALVAREZ1910 - 1914
GEN DR. NUMA POMPILIO OSUNA1914 - 1917
COL MARIANO HENRIQUE LOPEZ MENDEZ1917 - 1931
COL CARLOS SANCHEZ1931 - 1936
CPT FELIPE LARRAZÀBAL1936 - 1940
CPT ANTONIO PICARDI1940 - 1945
RADM MANUEL ANTONIO VEGA GARCIA1945 - 1947
CDR WOLFGANG LARRAZÀBAL UGUETO1947 - 1949 (first term)
CPT OSCAR EMILIO GHERSY GOMEZ1949 - 1958
RADM WOLFGANG LARRAZABAL UGUETO1958 (second term, acting)
RADM CARLOS LARRAZABAL UGUETO1958 - 1962
RADM RICARDO SOSA RIOS1962 - 1964
RDML JUAN PEDRO TORREALBA MORALES1964 - 1967
RADM JESUS CARBONELL IZQUIERDO1967 - 1969
RDML JOSE CONSTANTINO SEIJAS VILLALOBOS1969 - 1973
RDML ARMANDO PEREZ LEEFMANS1973 - 1974
RDML ALFONSO MENDOZA RAMIREZ1974 - 1976
RADM FELIX JESUS MENDOZA ACOSTA1976 - 1977
RADM MAGIN MOISES LA GRAVE FRY1977 - 1979
RDML ERNESTO JOSE REYES LEAL1979 - 1980
RADM JESUS RAFEL BERTORELLI MORENO1980 - 1983
RADM HAROLDO JOSE RODRIGUEZ FIGUEROA1983 - 1984
RADM JUSTO PASTOR FERNANDEZ MARQUEZ1984 - 1986
RADM DIOFANTE ANTONIO TORREALBA CHAPARRO1986 - 1987
RADM FAUSTINO EDUVIGIS ALVARADO RODRIGUEZ1987 - 1989
RADM HECTOR RICARDO JURADO TORO1989 - 1990
RADM JUAN ARGENIS GARCIA1990 - 1991
RADM IGNACIO PEÑA CIMARRO1991 - 1993
RADM JULIAN ENRIQUE MAUCO QUINTANA1993 - 1994
RADM CARLOS AUGUSTO RAMOS FLORES1994 - 1995
RADM JESUS ENRIQUE BRICEÑO GARCIA1995 - 1996
RADM OSCAR JOSE MORALES MARTINEZ1996 - 1997
RADM JULIO HENRY CHACON HERNANDEZ1997 - 1999
RADM OSWALDO PASCUAL QUINTANA CASTRO1999 - 2000
RADM JORGE M., SIERRAALTA ZAVARCE2000 - 2002
RADM FERNANDO MIGUEL CAMEJO ARENAS2002 - 2003
RADM RAMON ORLANDO MANIGLIA FERREIRA2003 - 2004
(Later appointed Minister of Defense)
RADM ARMANDO JOSE LAGUNA LAGUNA2004 - 2007
RADM BENIGNO REMIGIO CALVO Díaz2007 - 2008
VADM ZAIM QUINTANA CASTRO2008 - 2009
VADM CARLOS ANIASI TURCHIO2010 - 2011

Professional and enlisted

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela[44]
Sargento supervisor Sargento ayudante Sargento mayor de primera Sargento mayor de segunda Sargento mayor de tercera Sargento primero Sargento segundo Cabo primero Cabo segundo Distinguido Marinero raso

Officers

Rank group General/flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela[45][46][47]
Almirante en jefe Almirante Vicealmirante Contraalmirante Capitán de navío Capitán de fragata Capitán de corbeta Teniente de navío Teniente de fragata Alferez de navío

See also

References

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