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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accompanied by his wife, National Assembly Deputy Cilia Flores and by the Military High Commanders during the military parade celebrating the 214th anniversary of Venezuela's independence. Photo: Presidential Press.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro led the official ceremony commemorating the 214th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Venezuela at Paseo de los PrĂłceres in Caracas. The event, which took place on Saturday, July 5, also celebrated the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) Day. This celebration highlights the rebellious spirit of the Venezuelan people and the soldiers’ fundamental role in defending the nation.
“On their day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women of the FANB, heirs to the indomitable spirit of our liberators,” he said in his speech. “Today, as before, they remain steadfast in their commitment to the defense of national sovereignty and protecting the homeland from external threats with unwavering loyalty. Their dedication is a bastion of peace and a guarantee of the independence bequeathed to us by BolĂvar and Chávez.”
“Today is a day of glory. I extend my most sincere congratulations to our glorious army–united and liberating, heirs of BolĂvar and Sucre–on this Army Day. On July 5, we decided to break the chains of slavery: 300 years of colonialism, plunder and imperial arrogance over humble peoples,” he continued.
He highlighted the geopolitical vision of Liberator SimĂłn BolĂvar, who led his troops south to liberate other South American countries in the Southern Campaign. “BolĂvar established a vanguard with Grand Marshal Antonio JosĂ© de Sucre, the ‘Giant of Cumaná,’ to liberate Peru,” he said. “The ideals of liberty and unity that drew soldiers and officers from across the Americas defeated Spanish military leaders and declared absolute victory over the Spanish Empire in South America. Great glory to our heroes!”
President Maduro emphasized that unity among popular, military and police forces is key to confronting and defeating imperial conspiracies, elevating homeland defense to historic resistance.
At the beginning of his speech, President Maduro highlighted the fighting spirit characterizing the Venezuelan people since independence. “We find ourselves in a period of intense and victorious battle,” he stated. “From this sacred place, I send a message to Commander Chávez’s eternal spirit: the Venezuelan people, in perfect unity of the people, military, and police forces, continue fighting imperialist threats. Against every conspiracy, we advance freely and sovereignly, building our Homeland’s splendid greatness and the Great Homeland.”
The commander-in-chief of the FANB stressed that his baton of command represents the people’s indisputable authority, adding that it will never fall to those betraying patriotic ideals: “The baton of command entrusted to me by our people remains in my hand, firm and proud, as a symbol of the path toward greatness and full independence. This baton will always be the ultimate expression of sovereignty. It will not be handed to traitors or imperialist puppets. It is in my hand, with the people’s strength, defending Venezuela from external subjugation.”
At the end of the parade, President Maduro congratulated the FANB for its high morale, martial capability, and deployment of weaponry. He added that Venezuela must continue bolstering air defense systems, including drone infrastructure, with the help of international allies and with Venezuela’s own technological capacities. He also noted that Venezuela needs to develop a missile program.
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Defense minister’s remarks
Commemorative events began on July 5 at the National Pantheon Monumental Complex with the raising of the national flag and honoring SimĂłn BolĂvar, marking the 214th anniversary of Venezuela’s Declaration of Independence and Bolivarian National Armed Force Day.
At the National Pantheon, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino LĂłpez noted that 214 years after the Liberators’ feat, President Maduro leads “a pitched battle to build a new state through Communal Circuits with the fifth transformation.”
He added that the National Assembly “is raising its voice defending democracy and national independence, with people in the streets raising rebellious voices for compatriots abducted in El Salvador.”
He also pointed out that the FANB is “vilely vilified, harassed and targeted by imperialist forces seeking to break the nation’s soul. But 214 years later, that Armed Force, with Chávez’s spirit, continues defending our sovereignty and our constitutional independence.”
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SC
