Manifest issued by retired proffesionals of the Venezuelan Armed Forces.

1. FROM RETIRED PROFESSIONALS OF THE VENEZUELAN
ARMED FORCES AROUND THE WORLD
October 12th, 2013
THE MOTHERLAND’S CLARION CALLS
We, Venezuelan military professionals living abroad, residents, victims of political
persecution, exiles, refugees and those protected by International Agencies, in response
to the current situation of the regime’s repeated violation of the Constitution,
International Treaties, Conventions and Agreements signed by the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela, has led to to a national debate of the legitimacy of a possible intervention of
the Venezuelan Armed Forces (FAN). We consider it appropriate to address the national
and international public opinion, that a military action aimed at recovering the
constitutional rule, return to a democratic form of government and defense of our
sovereignty is not a coup, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 333 and 350 of our
Constitution in force, and in assumption of its functions under Article 328 of the
aforementioned Constitution.
Here are some reasons that justify the intervention:
1. – At present and for almost fifteen years, power in Venezuela is exercised in an
arbitrary and authoritarian manner. This is contrary to the principles that
characterize a government that claims to be authentic and genuinely democratic,
but that is under the influence of castro-communism. This system imposes blind
obedience and submission to its fellow citizens to get the minimum sustenance for
survival under a worldwide failed communist ideology.

2. 2. - At present and for almost fifteen years, we have witnessed absolute impunity,
abuse, lies and unimaginable felonies in all areas of national life. No authority
assumes responsibility or any citizen or public official has been held accountable or
found guilty of such outrages.
3. - At present and for almost fifteen years, we have experienced the authority’s
apathy to address issues, particularly national security, health care and education.
4. – At present and for almost fifteen years, through the educational system, the
Venezuelan population has been indoctrinated with castro-communist ideology,
contrary to our idiosyncrasy and religious beliefs.
5. – The current lack of security that has persisted for almost fifteen years and that
has caused more than 20.000 violent deaths per year, the absurd prison
conditions, the failure or malfunction of the courts of law, the existence of
authoritarian and repressive police, the incompetence and bias of many
Representatives of the National Assembly and Supreme Court Justices, the gradual,
slow and steady destruction of the Military Force of the Republic and of every
organism called upon to impose authority in order to dissuade crime and unrest, in
addition to the ineptitude of the officials responsible for the inefficient functioning
of the government. These conclusions cannot be more discouraging, demoralizing,
sad and shameful.
6.- At present and for almost fifteen years, our foreign policy has suffered the ravages
of incapacity and ignorance of the officials that conceal and do not react when they
have to replicate statements and actions of foreign State authorities. These actions
minimize our capacity to settle any disputes be it bordering, socio-economic or
Venezuelan inalienable rights, such as the recent “Esequibo” incident.
7.- At present and for almost fifteen years, we have seen with alarming concern the
efforts to definitely bring down, the three fundamental principles on which rest the
organization, management, operation and unity of command of the Venezuelan
Armed Forces. These are DISCIPLINE, OBEDIENCE and SUBORDINATION. The presence
of Cuban operatives in military installations; the prostitution of the highest levels of
the military hierarchy; the indiscriminate and foolish rise of a great number of
Generals and Admirals, with disregard to the vacancies and as a way to compensate
their unconditional servility, although many of these officers do not qualify for these
promotions and have no influence over their subordinates. This situations leads, to the
satisfaction of those who promote them, to a lack of due respect for superiors,
disobedience and denial of due subordination established in the military laws and
regulations. Consequently, we see with astonishment the decrease in the efficiency
and functionality of the different units of our Armed Forces. The reduction of active

3. members through a significant number of discharges either by request or because
these officers have not gained the trust of the country’s leaders or military authorities.
While in parallel, a farce called militia, is created to eliminate the Venezuelan Armed
Forces.
8.- At present and for almost fifteen years, we have witnessed the lack of effort to
combat drug trafficking, the various guerilla movements and international terrorist
organizations, giving rise to members of the Armed Forces that are engaged in drug
related activities, scourges that are part of the “Cartel del Sol.”
9.- At present and for almost fifteen years, the government not satisfied with having
instigated the fragmentation of families and the destruction of the Armed Forces, two
of the most respected institutions in our country, it felt the need to attack and
discredit the religious symbol of the Venezuelan people, the Catholic Church. They
have offended, slandered, disrespected and defamed its highest authorities. In
addition, they have denied and taken away the resources that allow the Church to
conduct their educational and spiritual guidance. Likewise, the government has
systematically persecuted the media preventing freedom of expression and of
exercising their right to inform unbiased and truthful news information.
10.- Since last April, we have been led to a precipice by an individual who exercises
power illegitimately, both of origin and performance, and of whom there is justified
suspicion he possesses dual nationality and is not a Venezuelan citizen by birth.
Furthermore, he has allowed castro-communism to continue invading our country. He
has given Venezuelan resources to foreign powers in return for his staying in power.
Also, he has sunk Venezuela in the worst socio-economic and political crisis in all its
republican history. Likewise, he has allowed drug traffickers the use of Venezuelan
territory as a bridge for sending drugs and become one of the most corrupt countries
in the world. He also shows signs of not possessing the minimum conditions for
exercising the presidency and often addresses the citizens with delusional absurdities
and lies. He has demonstrated crass ignorance on the issues to be resolved in accord
with the position to which he was appointed by the CNE (National Electoral Council.)
The National Electoral Council in a hasty and desperate fit, disregarded the claims to
contest the elections brought by the counterparty in the last electoral race.
Fellow colleagues in active duty, the current Constitution, adopted in 1.999, in its
Article 328 defines the organization of the Venezuelan Armed Forces and establishes
its main functions. Accordingly, together with the aforementioned Articles 333 and
350 direct you to respect and to ensure respect with compliance by all Venezuelans,
and even more by the authorities who are in power, without you having fear of

4. reprisal. You should always aim to safeguard what is enshrined in the Constitution,
defend the country and its institutions, protect national sovereignty and return the
country upon the pathway of a democratic system of government.
All Venezuelans, we dare to assert, and particularly, we, military professionals who are
absent from our motherland for the reasons invoked at the beginning of this
statement, look forward to your response. We will support it unconditionally.
WHEN THE MOTHERLAND’S CLARION CALLS
EVEN THE MOTHER’S CRY QUIETS
Simon Bolivar
From several parts of the world in October 2013
Signed by:
Gral.Div.(EJ) Vicente Luis Narváez Churión
Vice Alm. Jesús Rafael Bertorelli Moreno
Vice Alm. Freddy Mota Carpio
Gral.Div.(EJ) Carlos Julio Peñaloza Zambrano
Vice Alm. Efraím Díaz Tarazón
Gral.Div.(GN) Rafael Damiani Bustillos
Vice Alm. Héctor Ramírez Pérez
Gral.Bgda.(AV) Mariano Márquez Oropeza
Gral.Bgda.(EJ) Raimundo Guisandes López
Gral.Bgda.(EJ) Henry José Lugo Peña
Gral.Bgda.(AV) Eduardo Báez
Capitán (EJ) Carlos Blondell Tineo
C.A. Oscar Betancourt Patiño
Gral.Bgda.(AV) Pedro Pereira
Cnel.(EJ) José Tomás Rojas Graffe
Cnel.(EJ) Domingo Santana
Cnel.(AV) Silvino Bustillos
CN Humberto Lazo Cividane
Cnel.(EJ) Yucepe Pilliery
CN Bernardo Jurado Capecchi
Cnel.(EJ) Juan José Rendón González

5. Cnel.(GN) Antonio Semprún
C.A. Gregorio Molleja Rodríguez
CN Alberto Shadah Udelman
CN José Santín
CN Eddy Méndez Pérez
Tcnel. (AV) Guillermo Beltrán Vielma
Mayor (EJ) José Ramón Salas La Riva
Capitán (EJ) Wismerck Martínez Medina
Capitán (GN) Pedro José Flores Rivero
T.N. Henry Clement
T.N. Carlos Villalobos Franchi
Tnte. (GN) José A. Colina
Sub-Tnte.(EJ) Carlos García Arcaya
Gral.Bgda.(EJ) Néstor González González
C.C. José Rodríguez Vásquez
T.F. Rafael Figueredo Cassini
Cnel.(EJ) Gustavo Díaz Vivas
C.C. Juan Loreto
T.N. Carlos Rodríguez
CA Daniel Comisso Urdaneta
Gral.Bgda.(AV) Jorge Luis Guerrero Barrios
Capitán (EJ) Ricardo Salazar Bohórquez
Capitán(EJ) Alfredo Salazar Bohórquez
Tcnel.(EJ) Julio César Moreno
Capitán (GN) Leonardo Carrero Araujo
More signatures are on file.