"Democratic" socialism...
"Since Venezuela’s economy began its collapse in 2014, Mr. Maduro has essentially ruled along with the military. He has at least 10 active-duty or former generals as cabinet ministers, and the army runs everything from state-oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela to mining and food imports.
Several key military figures, including the interior minister, Gen. Nestor Reverol, the former head of the national guard, and retired Gen. Hugo Carvajal, the former head of military intelligence, have been indicted by the U.S. for drug trafficking. Others have been punished for corruption and human-rights abuses.
During Mr. Chávez’s time in power, he politicized the military, making sure promotions were contingent on loyalty to him and “Bolivarian” socialist ideology. In 2008, Mr. Chávez made the military adopt the Cuban-derived motto “Patria, Socialismo o Muerte, Venceremos!” or “Fatherland, Socialism or Death, we will triumph!” That same year, the military was renamed the National Bolivarian Armed Force, making clear its ideological identification.
Those who might revolt against Mr. Maduro face a pervasive intelligence unit, overseen by Cuban military advisers, which has snuffed out numerous plots, current and former officers said.
In his six years in office, Mr. Maduro has put intelligence officers in each unit, stripped pensions and benefits for families of officers accused of plotting and thrown some in jail."
"Since Venezuela’s economy began its collapse in 2014, Mr. Maduro has essentially ruled along with the military. He has at least 10 active-duty or former generals as cabinet ministers, and the army runs everything from state-oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela to mining and food imports.
Several key military figures, including the interior minister, Gen. Nestor Reverol, the former head of the national guard, and retired Gen. Hugo Carvajal, the former head of military intelligence, have been indicted by the U.S. for drug trafficking. Others have been punished for corruption and human-rights abuses.
During Mr. Chávez’s time in power, he politicized the military, making sure promotions were contingent on loyalty to him and “Bolivarian” socialist ideology. In 2008, Mr. Chávez made the military adopt the Cuban-derived motto “Patria, Socialismo o Muerte, Venceremos!” or “Fatherland, Socialism or Death, we will triumph!” That same year, the military was renamed the National Bolivarian Armed Force, making clear its ideological identification.
Those who might revolt against Mr. Maduro face a pervasive intelligence unit, overseen by Cuban military advisers, which has snuffed out numerous plots, current and former officers said.
In his six years in office, Mr. Maduro has put intelligence officers in each unit, stripped pensions and benefits for families of officers accused of plotting and thrown some in jail."