ABSTRACT
The expansion of the Venezuelan Bolivarian Armed Force’s roles and missions during the Hugo Chávez administration has been unprecedented. Military officers play a role in executing domestic policy by staffing key positions across almost every ministry and agency in the government. As President Chávez has created a diverse set of international alliances with like-minded governments in Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Iran, Venezuelan officers have played a role in implementing international policy, especially in the security dimension. The level of military involvement in the government also exceeds that of every other country in the Western hemisphere at the present time, with the possible exception of Cuba.
