Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
A high-ranking anonymous Venezuelan General Officer, in conversation with Infobae, provided a critical perspective that underscores the complexity of the environment in which the Venezuelan military aviation operates.
Operational and Structural Context
The Venezuelan Air Force has suffered a notable deterioration in its operational capacity, influenced by poor internal management, an unprecedented economic crisis, and the restrictions imposed by U.S. sanctions. The lack of adequate maintenance, the reduction of specialized human talent, and the degradation of logistical infrastructure have created a scenario where Maduro’s assertion about the effectiveness of the F-16 becomes questionable. Although some aircraft may be in flight, their operability is limited and does not reflect an optimal state. However, any fighter capable of making a sortie with weapons aboard remains a threat to any enemy force.
The Role of Iran and Other Actors in Supply
One of the most significant aspects is the involvement of Iran and other actors in supplying critical parts and components to the Venezuelan Air Force. Despite U.S. sanctions, multiple pathways have been identified through which the Venezuelan regime has managed to evade and circumvent the restrictions. Iran, in particular, has played a key role in maintaining the operability of Venezuela's weapon systems. Open sources claim that Hugo Chávez may have been involved in the secret supply of an F-16 aircraft to Iran in the early to mid-2000s, as well as in granting access to fuselage components and onboard weapons to Iranian military personnel.
Strategic Cooperation with Iran: Since at least 2018, Iran has been present at the Libertador Air Base (ICAO: SVBL), where studies have been conducted with U.S.-made C-130 Hercules and F-16 aircraft. This cooperation has allowed Iranian technicians broad access to conduct tests and modifications on the aircraft, suggesting a knowledge and technology exchange that could be crucial for maintaining the operability of these systems. Iran has acquired significant experience in operating and maintaining its U.S.-made aircraft in its air battle order, including Grumman F-14 Tomcats, Lockheed P-3 Orions, and C-130 Hercules. Iran has primarily relied on the black market to maintain a continuous source of available parts to support its military readiness and aviation efforts. An Iranian network operating in the United States successfully acquired parts and components for the F-14 from public sales of the Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (DRMO) and shipped them to Iran for years without being detected.
Commercial Triangulation: The Venezuelan Air Force has explored various strategies to obtain spare parts through intermediary networks in the black market. This triangulation process involves using shell companies and clandestine transactions that allow the delivery of critical components to Venezuela without attracting undue attention from U.S. authorities. The Venezuelan regime has leveraged Iran’s capability to produce parts and its experience in military supply.
Alliances with Other Countries: In addition to Iran, countries such as Turkey have expressed interest in cooperating with Venezuela in the military sphere. Reports indicate that Turkey, a NATO member, not only produces parts and components for the F-16 but has also developed its own aircraft manufacturing program, which could facilitate access to the technology and parts that the Venezuelan regime needs.
Geopolitical and Economic Implications
The supply of spare parts and strategic equipment to the Venezuelan Air Force and the state-owned fleet of aircraft through these channels poses not only legal and ethical challenges within the context of the sanctions but also significant geopolitical implications. Military cooperation between Venezuela and Iran, in particular, has raised concerns for the United States and its allies, who view this relationship as a potential link between terrorism and drug trafficking. Venezuelan F-16s have been directly involved for a long time in conducting daytime and nighttime air interceptions, as well as in carrying out deterrent and lethal engagements against suspicious aircraft in drug-related operations.
Furthermore, the costs associated with obtaining spare parts through unofficial channels can be exorbitant, further highlighting the fragility of Venezuela's economic situation. The reliance on these supply methods not only jeopardizes the sustainability of the air force's operability but also limits its ability to modernize and maintain its fleet effectively.
The Narrative of Resistance
Maduro's discourse, framed within a narrative of resistance against imperialism, seeks to mobilize internal support and divert attention from the structural failures of the regime. However, this rhetoric could backfire if not accompanied by concrete actions to address the operational realities of the Venezuelan Air Force. Ignoring the degradation of the air force and its dependency on external actors could undermine the government's legitimacy in the long term.
Another issue is the case of individuals who have attempted to violate the sanctions imposed by the United States by acquiring and shipping spare parts for state-owned aircraft from Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) charged ten individuals, including Venezuelans, Spaniards, and Costa Ricans, with evading sanctions against PDVSA through the illegal export of U.S. aircraft parts. The charges include conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), with a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Among the accused are:
1. George Clemente Semerene Quintero: Arrested at Miami International Airport.
2. Gilberto Ramón Araujo Prieto: Air transportation manager of PDVSA.
3. Guillermo Ysrael Marval Rivero and Fernando José Blequett Landaeta: Air transportation managers and logistics analysts at PDVSA.
4. Luis Alberto Duque Carvajal: Owner of Novax Group SA.
5. Juan Carlos González Pérez: Owner of Aerofalcon SL.
The accused allegedly concealed that the parts, including Honeywell engines, were intended for PDVSA, exporting them through intermediary companies in other countries to avoid U.S. sanctions. They are also accused of providing false information about exports and smuggling goods.
Additionally, the Department of Justice notes that they lacked authorization to export goods to PDVSA, violating sanctions imposed by the United States. These sanctions appear to have disrupted and caused significant losses to Venezuelan state aircraft. PDVSA heavily relies on its own fleet of aircraft to conduct its business and fly to destinations that support the Venezuelan regime. This particular case exposed the rapid deterioration of the large state-owned Bombardier LearJet fleet.
The issue of violations of the ban on selling weapons and strategic parts to Venezuela is complex and has involved multiple actors over the years. Below are some highlighted examples of criminal cases and related situations:
1. Military Aircraft Case: In 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice charged several individuals and companies with smuggling military aircraft parts to Venezuela. According to the allegations, these parts were for the Venezuelan F-16 fighter program. Among the accused was American businessman William A. Heller, who was arrested for attempting to illegally send aircraft parts to Venezuela through a Miami-based company.
2. Operation Cobra (2015): This operation uncovered a network trafficking in weapons and military parts that included sending components from the United States to Venezuela. It was found that some of these shipments were destined for the Venezuelan Air Force. The operation led to the indictment of several individuals, including Venezuelans residing in the United States, though not all names were publicly revealed.
3. Embargo Violation Case (2016): In 2016, a network was exposed that was sending spare parts for combat aircraft to Venezuela, violating embargo laws. Investigations indicated that some of these shipments originated from companies in Eastern European countries. Several international companies were involved, but specific names of individuals were not always revealed due to the nature of the investigations.
4. Reports of Arms Trafficking from Iran (2018-2020): During this period, reports indicated that Iran was sending military parts and technology to Venezuela, despite U.S. sanctions. This included the transfer of spare parts for aircraft and other strategic equipment. Although many details about the individuals involved in these transactions are not public, the U.S. government has pointed to key figures within Maduro’s regime as the main beneficiaries of these transactions.
5. Arms Smuggling Network Linked to Russia (2020): In 2020, smuggling networks were identified that allegedly received weapons and military parts from Russia and sent them to Venezuela, violating international sanctions. Although investigations revealed connections with Venezuelan government officials, the specific names of individuals involved in the smuggling were not widely disclosed.
These examples illustrate how, over the years, there have been attempts to evade sanctions against Venezuela. The clandestine nature of these operations complicates the acquisition of detailed and comprehensive information about all those involved. Investigations continue, and the international community remains alert to these acts that violate international laws regarding arms trade.
Conclusion
The situation of Venezuelan military and state aviation programs reflects the complex intersection of internal politics, the economy, and international dynamics. The regime’s ability to maintain its F-16s and C-130s in the highest state of readiness, through cooperation with black market actors and enemies of the United States, demonstrates adaptability amid restrictions. However, this strategy poses significant risks in terms of sustainability and geopolitical repercussions. The Venezuelan Air Force and the fleet of state-owned aircraft face an uncertain future, and the narrative of resistance cannot obscure the operational realities that require urgent attention. On the other hand, it is very possible that the fleets of Venezuelan state-owned military and corporate aircraft manufactured in the United States could continue operating through the black market for acquisitions if the United States is not able to enforce sanctions and restrictions.
Credits:
This analysis is based on information gathered from various sources, including Infobae and reports from the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as investigations into military cooperation between Venezuela and Iran. We thank all media outlets and experts whose contributions have been fundamental in understanding the complexity of the current situation of military and state aviation in Venezuela.
Jesús Daniel Romero became an officer through the Marine Enlisted Program, graduating with honors from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He later graduated from the Naval Aviation Pre-Flight Indoctrination Course at the Naval Aviation Schools Command and pursued intermediate training in the VT-10 and VT-86 squadrons. He served aboard a nuclear missile cruiser, ships.Amphibious operations and staff squads, a fixed-wing attack bombing squadron, and a carrier-based air wing were sent to Libya, Bosnia, Iraq, and Somalia. I served on tours with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Panama, the Joint Intelligence Center of the Pacific in Hawaii, and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. Jesús and his team successfully attacked an international criminal organization operating in several countries and in the United States, dismantling and disrupting criminal activities on behalf of Mexican cartels.
William L. Acosta is the founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc., a licensed and bonded investigation agency in NYS, FL. With offices and affiliates worldwide, Equalizer maintains offices and subsidiaries in the United States in New York, Florida, and California. Since 1999, Equalizer's investigations have successfully closed hundreds of cases, ranging from homicides, missing persons, and other crimes. He has been involved in the criminal defense of hundreds of state and federal criminal cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, RICO, money laundering, conspiracy, and other federal and state charges. He specializes in international and multi-jurisdictional investigations, and in recent years has conducted investigations in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, among other locations. He has directed or coordinated hundreds of investigations related to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides; and has been an instructor and international speaker on various investigative topics. Specialties: Criminal Defense Investigations, International Investigations, Homicides, Narcotics Undercover Operations, Investigations, Asset Forfeiture Investigations, Conspiracy, Human Trafficking, Surveillance, International Terrorism, Intelligence, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Internal Affairs Investigations, National Security.
Comments