A tragic incident at the 83rd Logistic Brigade ‘General de Division José de Austria’, part of the Venezuelan National Armed Forces (FANB), has shaken the army, revealing deep cracks within the institution. According to an internal report, officer Elvis Antonio Contreras Antúnez, from the N-26 officer promotion, lost his life during a training exercise with a 106 mm recoilless rifle. Furthermore, two personnel, identified as First Sergeant José Luis Ramírez Torres and Second Corporal Carlos Eduardo Méndez Salazar, deserted following the incident, contributing to the rising wave of desertions affecting the FANB.
Details of the Incident
The accident that claimed the life of Officer Contreras Antúnez is a consequence of the operational precariousness of the military. Internal sources indicate that the equipment used, possibly outdated, did not receive proper maintenance, contributing to the tragedy. The lack of stringent safety protocols and insufficient training are recurring problems in the FANB, exacerbated by an economic crisis that limits the military budget. This incident is not isolated; rather, it reflects the dangerous conditions faced by Venezuelan soldiers.
Desertion: A Sign of Discontent
The desertion of Ramírez Torres and Méndez Salazar after the accident underscores widespread discontent within the military ranks. While the specific reasons for their escape have not been disclosed, sources report several recurring factors: salaries barely reaching 10 dollars per month, scarcity of food and medicine, and the perception of an institution subordinated to political interests. Since 2015, thousands of soldiers are estimated to have abandoned the FANB, with significant surges in 2019, when over 1,200 crossed into Colombia and Brazil during confrontations over humanitarian aid.
An Institution in Decline
According to internal sources, the death of Contreras Antúnez and the desertions exemplify the reality happening within the troops, which the regime seeks to conceal to prevent larger repercussions.
One source states: “The FANB faces structural deficiencies: outdated equipment, lack of spare parts due to international sanctions, and a politicization that has eroded the chain of command. Corruption, with high-ranking officials linked to drug trafficking, contrasts sharply with the hardships faced by the troops, undermining morale and internal cohesion. The loss of skilled officers and non-commissioned officers compromises the country’s defensive capability, leaving the borders vulnerable, where armed groups like the ELN operate.”
Others consulted indicate that this event should prompt a transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the death of Officer Contreras Antúnez and to ensure that similar tragedies do not recur. However, they doubt that this will occur objectively.
Furthermore, there are calls for discussions around the causes of discontent leading to desertions like those of Ramírez Torres and Méndez Salazar. “The FANB needs profound reform to restore its professionalism, prioritize soldiers’ welfare, and depoliticize to regain its role as a guarantor of national sovereignty.”