Part 4/21:
The regime’s reliance on civilian militias, known as the Milicia Bolivariana, has increased as a way to bolster loyalty absent robust military support. These militias report directly to Maduro and are seen as a counterbalance to the traditional armed forces. Yet, analysts warn that their creation may be a strategic hedge against defections, reflecting underlying suspicion about the military’s loyalty.
Maduro's government has also been making internal adjustments—rotating and dismissing senior military officers, which regional experts interpret as attempts to tighten internal discipline and prevent potential mutinies. Reports also suggest that some officers have fled amid US-led strikes targeting narco-terror networks, although these accounts lack independent verification.