In the recent military action by America against Venezuela, the strategic reasons behind the first target of ‘El Libertador Air Base’ located in Maracay are coming to light. According to US officials and defense analysts, this air base is considered the most important center of Venezuela’s military air capabilities. El Libertador Air Base is the headquarters of the Bolivarian Military Aviation of Venezuela. The country’s fighter planes, drone units and major military operations are conducted from here. According to reports, the base is home to advanced military platforms, including the Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone, capable of both surveillance and attack.
Defense experts say that the first priority in any major military operation is to disable the enemy’s air capabilities. The initial attack on the El Libertador Air Base is being considered as part of this strategy, so that Venezuela cannot take counter-air operations and its command-system is disrupted. The loss of this base has a direct and widespread impact on the deployment of fighter planes, drone operations, military surveillance and coordination. This air base is not limited to flights, but it is also a major center for military training, strategic planning and command-control systems. According to analysts, the weakening of this base may affect the entire defense structure of Venezuela.
El Libertador Air Base also has a special place in the political history of Venezuela. The base played a role in the failed coup attempts of 1992, including that of former President Hugo Chávez. For this reason, this location is considered to be not only strategic, but also symbolically sensitive. Military analysts estimate that if the US-Venezuela tension increases, air defense systems, radar stations, and military logistics centers may also be targeted in the coming days, so that complete air dominance can be established in the region. However, it is also clarified that these estimates are yet to be independently verified and the situation is changing rapidly. This development has raised concerns in Latin America and the international community. The Venezuelan government has described the US action as a violation of sovereignty, while Washington is giving it security and action against drug trafficking. The coming days will decide whether this confrontation will be limited or turn into a major struggle.