Ministry of Defense (Venezuela)
The Venezuelan Ministry of People's Power for Defense, abbreviated M.P.P.D., is the federal-level organization responsible for maintaining the Venezuelan armed forces. As of October 2014, this ministry is headed by General Vladimir Padrino López. The ministry coordinates numerous counter-narcotics operations, helps perform various civil support and social development programs, and oversees the conventional military capabilities of Venezuela.
History
- 1810 Established as War and Navy Bureau
- 1863 Ministry of War
- 1874 Ministry of War and Navy
- 1946 Became Ministry of National Defense
- 1951 Name amended to Ministry of Defense
- 2007 Renamed Ministry of People's Power for Defense by presidential decree