Venezuela’s Military Power: Could Maduro Defend Against the U.S.?

Image Credentials: Image Title: Venezuela’s Military Power: Could Maduro Defend Against the U.S.?  Source: (Sora.ChatGpt) Date: August 2025. Attribution: Created using AI-generated imagery (Sora.ChatGpt), this does not depict a real-world scene.

By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies

Tensions are rising between Washington and Caracas after the United States deployed three guided-missile destroyers to the Venezuelan coast. U.S. officials confirmed the ships — the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson were sent as part of a broader effort to counter Latin American drug cartels, which Washington now designates as global terrorist organizations.

In response, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million militiamen nationwide. He declared that “no empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela” while dismissing U.S. naval maneuvers as mere “threats to peace.”

At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the possibility of sending troops. She said President Donald Trump was “willing to use every tool at his disposal to stop the flow of drugs into our country and bring those responsible to justice.” Washington also reiterated its stance on Maduro, doubling its reward to 50 million U.S. dollars for information leading to his capture.

For now, international analysts do not foresee a U.S. ground invasion of Venezuela. But the question remains: if that scenario were to materialize, how could Venezuela defend itself?

Venezuela’s Military Ranking

According to the Global Fire Power (GFP) Index 2025, which evaluates the armed forces of 145 nations, Venezuela ranks 50th worldwide. By comparison, the United States sits at the top of the list, followed by Russia and China.

Venezuela’s military, the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB), is estimated by the CIA to have between 125,000 and 150,000 active personnel, with another 220,000 paramilitaries. GFP data suggests that the Air Force has around 20,000 members, while the Navy has 25,500.

Air Power

Venezuela is one of only two countries operating F-16 fighter jets, maintaining 18 versions of the U.S.-made aircraft. It also possesses 21 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30s, considered the backbone of its air force.

In total, the Venezuelan Air Force has 229 aircraft, though only 126 are operational, according to GFP. These include fighters, ground-attack aircraft, and helicopters.

Ground Forces

The Venezuelan Army controls approximately 8,974 vehicles, among them 172 tanks and nearly 8,800 armored and logistical vehicles. Operationally, about 103 tanks and 5,281 vehicles remain serviceable.

Naval Strength

With 34 naval assets, Venezuela ranks 55th in global naval power. The fleet reportedly includes one submarine, one major warship, 25 patrol boats, and a mix of logistical and multipurpose vessels.