Military expenditures:
0.49% of GDP (2017)
0.45% of GDP (2016)
0.94% of GDP (2015)
1.16% of GDP (2014)
1.67% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data): 149
[see also: Military expenditures country ranks ]

Military forces:
Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes Marines, Coast Guard), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB), Integral Aerospace Defense Command (Comando de Defensa Aeroespacial Integral, CODAI), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB), Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana, NMB) (2019)

Military service age and obligation:
all citizens of military service age (18-60 years old) are obligated to register for military service and subject to military training, though mandatory recruitment is forbidden; the minimum service obligation is 24-30 months (2016)

Maritime threats:
The International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen; in 2018, 11 attacks were reported which was a slight decrease from the 12 attacks in 2017.  Nevertheless, the waters off Venezuela continue to be the fourth most dangerous area for mariners in the world. (2018)