Deployment of the FANB in the communal circuits across Venezuela as part of "The barracks go to the people" campaign. Photo: Prensa FANB.
The Strategic Regions of Comprehensive Defense (REDI) of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) of Venezuela issued a statement repudiating far-right coup-monger Leopoldo LĂłpez’s call for a US invasion of Venezuela and assassination of national leaders.
The commanders of the units operating in various regions of the country condemned López’s statements and accused him of treason against the homeland.
Leopoldo López, who currently lives in Spain, expressed his support for a potential US military intervention in Venezuela. In statements made to Spanish media, he asserted that Washington’s pressure is the only way to bring about “regime change” in the country.
Statement by REDI commanders
In light of these events, the REDI commanders issued statements on Friday, October 24.
The commander of the Insular Maritime REDI, Admiral JosĂ© Rafael Hernández Abchi, described the call for invasion as sheer audacity on the part of far-right politicians “from the comfort and luxury of Europe.” He called it a miserable, despicable act to “promote war and wipe out their fellow human beings… while rejecting their own roots and their people. They do not love their homeland and do not adhere to the values and principles of independence, freedom, and sovereignty.”
The Western REDI, operating in the Andes, stated that “the most despicable thing about a human being is cowardice, especially when displayed by individuals who aspire to govern this country. For this reason, today the FANB and the people of Venezuela despise any act of soliciting sanctions or invasions, deeming it ignorant of the value of life, and will never allow a treacherous, sell-out political class to govern this country.”
The Eastern REDI expressed, with absolute firmness and patriotic spirit, its condemnation of the destabilizing fascist right that wants to seize power by force through the promotion of foreign intervention.
The commander of the Central REDI No. 4, Major General JesĂşs Villamizar, emphasized that Leopoldo LĂłpez’s attitude can only be described as “stateless, treacherous, and miserable, with genocidal intent, demonstrating a total ignorance of what war is and its grave consequences.” He noted that these actions are driven by a lust for power, leading to “an attempt to assassinate our President of the Republic Nicolás Maduro, as well as political and military leaders.”
The Capital Strategic Region for Comprehensive Defense joined in the repudiation of the warmongering statements of members of the Venezuelan extreme right and fascist movement, expressing its unwavering commitment to defending the nation and national sovereignty.
“Those who call for sanctions, blockades, or bombings against Venezuela cannot be considered Venezuelans and have renounced the principles inherited by us from our liberators. They are traitors to the homeland and as such will be judged in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic,” declared REDI Guayana.
Strategic Operational Commander Domingo Hernández Lárez: We despise cowards
Speaking from the Guayana REDI, the head of the Strategic Operational Command of the FANB (CEOFANB), Major General Domingo Hernández Lárez, said that the armed forces condemn the “nefarious statements by members of the Venezuelan fascist and terrorist far right who promote an invasion of the Venezuelan people by the United States, as well as the call to assassinate the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
“Cowardice is one of the most despicable acts a human being can commit,” he added. “The FANB and the glorious people of Venezuela despise cowards. Those who promote an invasion of Venezuela are traitors to the homeland and will be judged as such.”
The FANB expressed its absolute loyalty to the Venezuelan president, the Venezuelan people, and to the democratic principles that have been maintained with substantial effort over “25 years of struggle in favor of the truth.”
“Venezuela is not, nor will it ever be, led by any traitor,” Hernández Lárez said. “The FANB will not allow a treacherous, sell-out political class to govern the homeland of BolĂvar and Chávez. The traitors will not return!”
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The ZODIs: Leopoldo LĂłpez committed an act of treason
The 28 Integral Defense Zones (ZODI) also issued statements in this regard.
Divisional General Gabriel Enrique Magallanes, in charge of the Zulia ZODI, highlighted that it is an “infamous demonstration against the dignity of the Venezuelan people” and repudiated López’s statements calling for the assassination of the commander-in-chief of the FANB.
“The Venezuelan people consider that an act of cowardice and capitulation, and it deserves the utmost contempt,” he declared. “Venezuelan men and women, we will defend peace. We will do so with determination and courage, with our deep love for our homeland, our traditions, and our hard-won glories. We will never give in to threats of invasion or declarations of war promoted from abroad by traitors—miserable wretches who, from the comfort of their homes, incite military intervention and the destabilization of the region.”
He further highlighted that warmongering statements constitute a “war crime,” which is punishable by the International Criminal Court, and also amount to treason against the homeland.
The commander in charge of the Falcón ZODI, Divisional General Francisco Luis Moreno, expressed a “categorical and absolute condemnation” of the call for an invasion.
“It is not a political expression; it is an act of cowardice and betrayal of the homeland,” he said. “Anyone born on this soil who calls for the intervention of foreign powers and for bombings that would only bring death and destruction to our people does not deserve to be called Venezuelan. Treason against the homeland is not just a mere phrase; it is a grave crime, a reprehensible act punishable by law, as it strikes at the very essence of the Venezuelan nation.”
“There will be no mercenary or foreign power that will be able to trample on the dignity and unity of the people, the military, and the police. Venezuelans are ready to defend peace and sovereignty with determination,” he added.
Meanwhile, the commander of the Lara ZODI, Divisional General Ibrahim Sirgo Herrera, pointed out that López’s infamous statements undermine the dignity of the Venezuelan people.
“The statements are treacherous and cowardly. They violate the Charter of the United Nations and deserve the utmost contempt. Venezuelans will defend peace,” he emphasized.
Defense Minister Padrino LĂłpez: It is an act of cowardice
On Friday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said that an opposition is necessary to keep society in balance, “but not here, as here the extremist opposition is about staging coups, calling for invasions, urging intervention, and requesting sanctions against the Venezuelan people. That is simply, as BolĂvar said, an act of cowardice.”
During a televised event, Padrino called all those who call for invasions and war “ignorant.” “Calling for war is an idiotic act of ignorance,” he said.
“Look at what they have proposed, the premise they have adopted of achieving peace through violence, through weapons, through war. It is the greatest contradiction,” he added.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SF
