Rocío San Miguel affirms that Venezuela is going through a political transition and it is urgent to initiate reforms in security and defense

Rocío San Miguelpresident of the NGO Control Ciudadano, asserted that Venezuela is immersed in a process of political transition and warned that reforms in the field of security and national defense should not be relegated to later phases, but rather be executed simultaneously with the country’s institutional and democratic adjustments.

In an interview with Televen, San Miguel argued that the national scene shows dynamics typical of a period of change, among which he cited the gradual release of citizens deprived of liberty for political reasons, the return to the national territory of the leader Maria Corina Machado and the development of conversation channels between political actors—with the participation of Dinorah Figuera—backed by diplomatic support from the United States.

The human rights defender He described Machado as a key figure for the democratic reestablishment and pointed out that although the pace of the transformations could be conditioned by Washington’s international agenda, civil society must immediately articulate its demands in economic, social and military matters.

“I believe that we are in transition. We would like all the political prisoners to be released. I hope this can happen quickly,” he said.

Security and Defense | Political Transition

Citizen Control urges reform of the military sector simultaneously with political change

Rocío San Miguel warned that the technical professionalization of the FAN is the fundamental pillar to guarantee institutional stability

“There has to be a transition in the Venezuelan security and defense sector, because this transition will support the political, economic and social spaces of the country.”

Rocío San Miguel | President of Citizen Control

Evidence of political change marked by the gradual release of political prisoners, the return of María Corina Machado and dialogues supported by Washington.

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Urgency to make the National Armed Force nonpartisan, restore technical professionalization criteria and adapt the doctrine to the needs of the State.

I urge civil society to immediately articulate its demands in the economic, social and military spheres without postponing security changes.

Simultaneous strategy for democratic governance

1

Recognition of political transition
Identification of spaces for institutional change, return of key leadership and international diplomatic facilitation.

2

Simultaneous action in security and defense
Prevent military restructuring from being relegated to later phases, starting it now to serve as structural support.

3

Sustainable democratic governance
Definitive adaptation of the security forces to the constitutional framework with viable projects provided with technical support.

Pending debt in military modernization and citizen security

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• Technical capabilities: San Miguel emphasized that changes in the military sector demand time and specialized planning due to the accumulated institutional lag.

• Civil articulation: Civil society must assume a vigilant and proactive role to demand that the political transition include national defense reform as a priority.

Source: Interview with Rocío San Miguel (Citizen Control) on Televen

Regarding the restructuring of the defense apparatus, the activist stated that the transformation of the military sector constitutes the fundamental pillar to guarantee the economic and social stability of the nation.

He stressed the urgency of making the National Armed Forcesrestore its criteria of technical professionalization and adapt the defense doctrine to the true strategic needs of the Venezuelan State.

“I would say that there has to be a transition in the Venezuelan security and defense sector, because this transition will support the political, economic and social spaces of the country. Many adjustments must be made that require time, that demand technical capabilities and that we have to start making them now,” said San Miguel.

The specialist concluded that the country has an outstanding debt in terms of military modernization and citizen security, which is why she urged the structuring of viable projects with technical and institutional support.

The call of Citizen Control It seeks to open the debate on the conditions to adapt the security forces to the constitutional framework and ensure sustainable democratic governance over time.