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Armed Forces of Bolivia

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The Bolivian Armed Forces (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivia) are the military of Bolivia. The Armed Forces of Bolivia are responsible for the defence, both of external and internal, of Bolivia and they are constituted by Bolivian Army, the Bolivian Air Force and the Bolivian Navy. All these institutions depend on the Ministry of Defence of this country.

Armed Forces of Bolivia
Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivia
MottoSubordinacion y Constancia, ¡Viva Bolivia! (Subordination and Steadfastness. Long Live Bolivia!)
Founded7 August 1826; 198 years ago (1826-08-07)
Service branches Bolivian Army
 Bolivian Navy
 Bolivian Air Force
Leadership
Captain General of the Armed ForcesLuis Arce (President of Bolivia)
Minister of DefenseEdmundo Novillo
Commander in Chief of the Armed ForcesCésar Moisés Vallejos Rocha
Personnel
Military age18
Available for
military service		1,949,267, age 15–49 (2000 est.)
Fit for
military service		1,269,228, age 15–49 (2000 est.)
Reaching military
age annually		86,863 (2000 est.)
Active personnel40.000 to 70.000 (est.)
Reserve personnel40.000 (est.)
Expenditure
Budget$659.2 million (2017)
Percent of GDP1.76% (2017)
Industry
Foreign suppliers Argentina
 Austria
 Brazil
 China
 Mexico
 North Korea
 Peru
 Russia
 Turkey
 United States
 Venezuela
 Iran
Related articles
HistoryHistory of Bolivia
RanksMilitary ranks of Bolivia

In addition to the Bolivian Army, the Bolivian Air Force and the Bolivian Navy, the Bolivian National Police, although dependent on the Ministry of Government in times of peace, is part of the reserves of the Armed Forces according to the Organic Law of the Armed Forces of this nation,[1] together with other reserve bodies such as the SAR-FAB emergency and rescue units.

Figures on the size and composition of the armed forces of Bolivia vary considerably, with rare official data available. It is estimated, however, that the three main forces (army, navy and air force) add up to a total of between 40,000[2] to 70,000[3][4][5] troops, while the Bolivian police would be around 40,000[6][7] troops. On 26 June 2024, General Zúñiga was arrested in a coup attempt.[8]

High Command of the Armed Forces of Bolivia

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The roles and tenure of the High Command are described in the Organic Law of the Armed Forces (LOFA)[1] which states that the hierarchy is subordinate to and appointed by the President of Bolivia with the Minister of Defense acting as an intermediary between the President and the Armed Forces. Article 172 of the 2009 Constitution states that amongst the President's duties are "To designate and substitute the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the Commanders of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy."[9]

The current positions, appointed by interim president Jeanine Áñez Chávez on 13 Nov 2019[10] are as follows:

  • Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces: Gen. Carlos Orellana Centellas
  • Military Chief of Staff: Pablo Arturo Guerra Camacho
  • Commander of the Army: Gen. Iván Patricio Inchauste
  • Commander of the Air Force: Ciro Orlando Álvarez Guzmán
  • Commander of the Navy: Rear Admiral Moisés Orlando Mejía Heredia

Article 100 of the LOFA also states that these positions, and several others such as Chief of Police and Head of the Presidential, may be held "only once during the military career and for a time no greater than two years".[1][11] This results in a fairly high turnover in the Bolivian High Command with continued service being prohibited by law. The last changes in High Command, under the previous President Evo Morales, occurred on 24 Dec 2018,[12] 11 Dec 2017,[13] 29 Dec 2016,[14] 30 Dec 2015,[15] 18 Dec 2014,[16] 13 Dec 2013[11] and 3 Dec 2012.[17]

Attempts to increase the maximum length of service for members of the High Command (and other positions) were made, unsuccessfully, under the Morales administration who wished to increase it to between 3 and 5 years.[18]

Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

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No. Portrait Name
(birth–death) 		Term of office Defence branch Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
General
Víctor Guzmán Bruno 		14 August 1991 20 August 1992 1 year, 6 days   Bolivian Air Force [19]
General
Oscar Vargas Lorenzetti 		20 August 1992 15 December 1994 2 years, 117 days   Bolivian Army [20]
General
Reynaldo Cáceres Quiroga 		15 December 1994 1 November 1996 1 year, 322 days   Bolivian Army [21]
General
Hernán Aguilera Bianchi 		1 November 1996 14 November 1998 2 years, 13 days   Bolivian Army [22]
Admiral
Jorge Zabala Ossio 		14 November 1998 24 November 2000 2 years, 10 days   Bolivian Navy [23]
General
Alvin Anaya Kippes 		24 November 2000 8 August 2002 1 year, 257 days   Bolivian Army [24]
Divisional general
Roberto Claros Flores
Acting 		8 August 2002 24 November 2003 1 year, 108 days   Bolivian Air Force [25]
Admiral
Luis Alberto Aranda Granados [eo] 		24 November 2003 14 June 2005 1 year, 202 days   Bolivian Navy [26]
Admiral
Marco Antonio Justiniano Escalante 		14 June 2005 24 January 2006 224 days   Bolivian Navy [27]
Admiral
José Luis Cabás Villegas
Acting 		5 January 2009 24 January 2010 1 year, 19 days   Bolivian Navy [28][29]
General
Carlos Ramiro de La Fuente Bloch 		24 January 2010 22 March 2011 1 year, 57 days   Bolivian Army [30]
Admiral
Armando Pacheco Gutiérrez 		22 March 2011 5 January 2012 289 days   Bolivian Navy [31]
General
Tito Roger Gandarillas 		5 January 2012 3 December 2012 333 days   Bolivian Air Force [32]
General
Edwin de la Fuente 		3 December 2012 14 December 2013 1 year, 11 days   Bolivian Army [33]
Admiral
Víctor Baldivieso Haché 		14 December 2013 22 December 2014 1 year, 8 days   Bolivian Navy [34]
General
Omar Jaime Salinas Ortuño 		22 December 2014 30 December 2015 1 year, 8 days   Bolivian Army [35]
General
Juan Gonzalo Durán Flores 		30 December 2015 29 December 2016 365 days   Bolivian Air Force [36]
General
Luis Orlando Ariñez Bazán 		29 December 2016 11 December 2017 347 days   Bolivian Army [37]
Admiral
Yamil Octavio Borda Sosa 		11 December 2017 24 November 2018 348 days   Bolivian Navy [38]
General
Williams Kaliman
(born 1963) 		24 November 2018 13 November 2019 354 days   Bolivian Army [39]
General
Carlos Orellana Centellas 		13 November 2019 Incumbent 5 years, 4 days   Bolivian Army [40]

Army

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Coat of Arms of the Bolivian Army
See full article: Bolivian Army.

The Bolivian Army (Ejército de Bolivia, EB) is the land branch of the armed forces of Bolivia. Together with the Bolivia army and air force Bolivia, is responsible for protecting Bolivia of internal, external threats and ensure the independence of this country. The Bolivian Army has around 55,500 men. There are six military regions (regiones militares—RMs) in the army. The Army is organized into ten divisions. The Army maintains a small fleet of utility aircraft, primarily to support headquarters.

Combat units directly under the Army general command

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  • 1st Infantry Regiment Colorados (Presidential Guard), contains two 2 battalions: BI-201 and BI-202
  • BATCOM-251,
  • Gen. maintenance cen. no. 1
  • Transport batt. no. 1.
  • 1st National parks Security Regiment

Special forces command

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The Special Forces command controls the following units:

  • 12th Ranger Regt. "MANCHEGO", Montero
  • 16th Infantry Regt. JORDAN, Riberalta (Special Forces)
  • 18th Parachute Infantry Regiment VICTORIA "Army Special Troops Training Center", Cochabamba
  • 24th Ranger Regiment (Mountain) MÉNDEZ ARCOS, Challapata

Army aviation command

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Army aviation company 291 (La Paz), army aviation company 292 (Santa Cruz)

  • 291st Cavalry Group (La Paz)

Regional

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The Bolivian Army has six military regions (regiones militares—RMs) covering the various Departments of Bolivia:

  • RM 1, La Paz, most of La Paz Department: 1st Army Division, 297th MPB C.L.Saavedra (Military Police battalion),BE-296 CNL R.C.Zabalegui (ecological batt.),BE-297 (ecolog. batt.), BATLOG-1 (Logistics btn.),army aviation company 291 C.L.Cordoba, Mili. hospital no. 1, Military Police School, Army Equestrian Center, Military College of Bolivia "COL Gustavo Villaroel Lopez", Army School of Intelligence, Army Engineers School MCAL Antonio Jose de Sucre, Army Signals and Communications School, Army Armor School, Army 1st Engineering Regiment CPN Felipe Ochoa "Army Engineering and Maintenance Center", Bolivian Army Military School of Music "LTCOL Antonio Patino", 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment "Tarapaca"
  • RM 2, Potosí, covering the departments of Oruro and Potosi: 2nd and 10th ADs, 24th RR M.Arcos (ranger regt.),ADA-202 (a.a. group), Army Mountain School
  • RM 3, Tarija, consisting of Tarija Department and eastern Chuquisaca and southern Santa Cruz:3rd and 4th AD
  • RM 4, Sucre, covering the departments of Cochabamba and northern Chuquisaca: 7th Army Division, 272nd MP Btn., BATLOG-2 (long.Batt), mili.hospital no2, Army Arsensals Cochabamba, Army Command and Staff College MSHL Antonio de Santa Cruz, Army NCO School "SGT M. Paredez", Army Artillery School, 18th PIR "Victoria" (Army Special Troops Training Center), Army NCOs and Warrant Officers Advance Studies Institute, Army Arms Applications School, 1LT Edmundo Andrade Military High School
  • RM 5, Cobija, encompassing the Pando Department and parts of La Paz and Beni departments: 6th AD, 16th IR Jordan (special forces),Army Jungle Operations School
  • RM 6, Santa Cruz, covering most of Santa Cruz Department: 5th and 8th ADs, BMP-273 R.Amezaga (Military Police), BE-298 (ecological batt.), 12th RR Manchego (ranger),BATLOG-3 (logist. batt.), 292 army aviation company, Bolivian Condores school (special forces), 6th IR

Army divisions

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The army is organized into ten territorial divisions plus a mechanized division, each of which, with the exception of Viacha, occupy a region generally corresponding to the administrative departments, with some overlapping. These and their respective divisional headquarters and constituent units are:

  • 1st Mechanized Division, Viacha (La Paz Department): 1st Field Artillery Regiment "Camacho", 6th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 23rd IR (Mechanized Infantry Training), 4th IR Tarapaca (Mech.) 5th ACR, 2nd ACR (Training), 1st Armor Regiment
  • 1st AD, Viacha (La Paz Department): 8th IR Ayacucho, RI 30 Murillo (mountain), RA 2 Bolivar, Bat.Ing. 2 G.F.Roman.
  • 2nd AD, Oruro: 21st IR Illimani (Mountain), RI 22 Mejillones, 25th RI (Mountain) Tocopilla, RC 8 Braun, 1st Artillery Regt. Camacho, Bat.Ing. 7 Sajama.
  • 3rd AD, Villamontes (Tarija Department): 5th IR Campero, RI 20 Padilla, RC 3 Aroma, RA 3 Pisagua, Bat.Ing. 1 Chorolque.
  • 4th AD, Camiri (Santa Cruz Department):, 6th Infantry Regiment Campos, RI 11 Boqueron, 1st Cavalry Regt. "E. Avaroa", RA 4 Bullian
  • 5th AD, Roboré (Santa Cruz Department): RI 13 Montes, RI 14 Florida, RI 15 Junin, RC 6 Castrillo, RA 5 Vergara
  • 6th AD, Trinidad: RI 17 Indepedencia, RI 29 Echevarria, RI 31 Rios,RI 32 Murguia, 2nd Cavalry Regt. Ballivan, 8th AR Mendez(reserve), Bat.Ing. 6 Riosinho.
  • 7th Army Division, Cochabamba (the largest):, 2nd Infantry Regiment "Marshal Antonio Jose de Sucre", 18th Parachute Infantry Regiment "Victoria" (Army Special Troops Training Center), RI 26 R.Barrientos (mech.) 29th PIR "CPT V.Ustariz" (airborne), RA 7 Tumusia, Bat.Ing.5 T.N.Ovando
  • 8th AD, Santa Cruz: RI 7 Marzana, RI 10 Warnes (mech.), RC 10 G.M.J.M. Mercado, RA 9 Mitre (reserve),Bat.Ing. 3 Pando.
  • 9th AD (Reserve), Rurrenabaque: the Division has been reduced to reserve status and its component units have been divided up between DE-1 and DE-6
  • 10th AD, Tupiz: 3rd IR "Juan Jose Perez", RI 4 Loa, RI 27 Antofagasta, 7th ACR Chichas (Armored Cavalry), RA 12 Ayohuma (reserve)

RI: infantry regiment RC: cavalry regiment RA: artillery regiment Bat.Ing.: battalion engineer

Army organized has ten divisions controlling the following units:

 
Bolivian Snipers Dragunov SVD.
  • eight cavalry regiments, included two mechanized regiments
  • twenty-three infantry regiments included two airborne and two mountain
  • one recce. mechanized regiments and one armored regiments
  • two ranger regiments
  • one special forces regiments
  • six and three reserve artillery regiments
  • one artillery and antiaircraft group
  • one artillery and antiaircraft Regiment
  • three military police battalions
  • three ecological battalions
  • two army aviation companies
  • six engineer battalions
  • Plus logistical and instructional support commands
  • Presidential Guard (Colorado) infantry battalion under direct control of the army headquarters in La Paz's Miraflores district

The Army maintains a small fleet of utility aircraft, primarily to support headquarters.

Equipment of the Army

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Main article: List of equipment of the Bolivian Armed Forces

Land equipment

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SK105 Kürassier Tank of Bolivia.
 
7.5 cm FK 18 before a parade in Cochabamba.
 
EE-9 Cascavel of Bolivia.
Bolivian army equipment[41][unreliable source]
Tanks 54 SK-105 Kürassiers
Reconnaissance vehicles 24 EE-9 Cascavel
Armoured Personnel Carriers 50 M113 armored personnel carriers with local upgrades, 24 EE-11 Urutu APC,24 M9 Half-track APC, 15 Cadillac Gage Commando V-150, 20 Mowag Roland local upgraded (Used by the military Police)
Artillery pieces and mortar 18 Type 54 122 mm howitzers, 6 M101 105 mm howitzers, 10 7.5 cm FK 18 howitzers, 6 Bofors 75 mm Model 1934 75 mm howitzers. Mortars: M-120 120 mm, M30 107 mm mortars, 250 M29 81 mm mortars, FM 81 mm, W87 81 mm, M-224 60 mm mortars AA artillery: 16 2×37 mm Type 65, 80 2×20 mm Oerlikon 20 mm cannon K20, 50 MANPAD HN-5 AT weapons:rocket launchers RPG-7, 200 66 mm M72A3 LAW, 90 mm M20A1, 90 mm M67 recoilless rifle, RCL 82 mm Type 65/78, RCL 106 mm M40A1,40 portable AT missile HJ-8AiB Red Arow
Transport TRANSPORT:DongFeng EQ 2081/2100,FEW C A1122J,Stayer 1491,16 Ford F-750,Unimog 416Dodge M-37 21⁄2 ton trucks, Engesa EE-15 trucks, Engesa EE-25 trucks, FIAT IVECO 619 5 ton trucksTACTICAL TRANSPORT VEHICLES:30 M988 HMMWV,40 Koyak local productionUTILITY TRANSPORT VEHICLES:Ford M151 jeep,CJ-5,CJ-7,Chrysler jeep Wrangler,BJ 2020VJ, horses (still used by the Bolivian cavalry units)[41][unreliable source]
Small Arms HANDGUNS: FN-35,Glock 17, Beretta Model 92F, SM Model 10 (all 9mm)[Source?], M1911A1 11,43 SMG: FMK 3, UZI, MAT 49 (all 9mm)Rifle: IMI Galil AR, M16A1, M4A1, Steyr AUG A1, SA 80, all (5.56 mm), FN-FAL, SIG-542, SIG-510-4, (all 7.62mm), Type 56–2(ak-47),SNIPER: Dragunov SVD, Mauser model 86SR, Steyr SSG-69P1AM Rifles:Steyr HS 50 12.7mmMG: M60, FN-MAG 60–20, SIG MG710-3 (all 7.62mm), Type 56 LMGGL:Type 87 35 mm, MM−1, M79, M203 (all 40 mm) Shotguns:Remington 870 and 11–87.

Air equipment

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Aircraft Origin Function Versions In service[42] Notes
Robinson R44   United States Trainer R44 1
Beechcraft King Air   United States Utility, VIP C90 1
Fokker F27 Friendship   Netherlands Transport F27-MK200 1
Harbin Z-9   China Utility helicopter H425 6

Uniforms

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A Bolivian Army soldier armed with a 7.62mm FN FAL rifle stands guard during Fuerzas Unidas Bolivia, a joint U.S. and Bolivian training exercise in April 1986.

Army officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel generally wear gray or, for tropical areas, gray-green service uniforms. Army fatigue uniforms are olive green, and combat uniforms are of US woodland pattern camouflage. The standard headgear for enlisted personnel is the beret bearing the national colors of red, yellow and green. Paratroops (paracaidistas) were distinguished by black berets, and Special Forces by green berets.

Air Force

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Coat of arms of the Bolivian Air Force
See full article: Bolivian Air Force.

The Bolivian air force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana, FAB) is the air branch of the armed forces of Bolivia. The Bolivian Air Force has nine air bases, located at La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Puerto Suárez, Tarija, Villamontes, Cobija, Riberalta, and Roboré.

Major commands included the following:

  • General Command Systems Department in La Paz, equipped with sophisticated computers. In March 1989, FAB took a major step toward modernizing its force by inaugurating the
 
K-8VB karakorum of the FAB
  • Group of Security and Defense of Air Installations (Grupo de Seguridad y Defensa de Instalaciones Aéreas—GSDIA); and GADA-91, GADA-92, GADA-93 and GADA-94.
  • Four air brigades with thirteen subordinate air groups.
    • First Air Brigade (El Alto):
      • Hunting air group 31 "G.J.Market": Fighter squadron 311,Executive squadron 310
      • Transport air group 71 "Gen.W.A.Rojas" (Military airlift TAM):Air squadron 710,Air squadron 711,Air squadron 712
      • Aerophotogrammetry National Service (NSS)
      • Bolivian Air Transport-TAB
      • Task Force "Black devils"
      • Group air defence artillery GADA-91
    • Second Air Brigade (Cochabamba):
      • Hunting air group 34 "P.R.Cuevas": Aerotactico squadron 340,Link training squadron 341
      • Group air search and rescue 51: Squadron helicopter 511
      • Group air defence artillery GADA-92
    • Third Air Brigade (Santa Cruz):
      • Hunting Air Group 32 "B.B.Rioja": squadron 321,squadron 320,squadron 327 (maintenance)
      • COLMILAV Training squadrons: primary squadron,basic squadron,squadron "NN" (prob.navigation)
      • Air group air reconnaissance and exploration 82(air base Puerto Suárez): 831 squadron
      • Air group 61 "Gen.L.G.Pereiera (air base Puerto Suárez): squadron 610
      • Task force "Red Devils" (air base The Trompillo-Robore)
      • Group air defence artillery GADA-93
    • Fourth Air Brigade:
      • Group air reconnaissance and exploration 82 "Cap.A.V.Peralta" (air base Tarija): squadron 821
      • Air Group 63 "Tcnl.E.L.Rivera" (air base Villamontes): squadron 630
      • Group air defence artillery GADA-94

Units under direct control of the general command of the FAB

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  • Tactical air group 62 (air base Riberalta): squadron 620
  • Air group 64: squadron (air base Cobija) 640
  • Transport air group 72 (air base Trinidad) : squadron 720
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Coat of arms of the Bolivian Navy
See full article: Bolivian Navy.

The Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana in Spanish), formerly Bolivian Navy (Armada Boliviana) is a naval force about 5,000 strong in 2008.[43] Although Bolivia has been landlocked since the War of the Pacific in 1879, Bolivia established a River and Lake Force (Fuerza Fluvial y Lacustre) in January 1963 under the Ministry of National Defense. It consisted of four boats supplied from the United States and 1,800 personnel recruited largely from the army. Bolivia's naval force was renamed the Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana) in January 1966, but it also has been called the Bolivian Navy (Armada Boliviana). It became a separate branch of the armed forces in 1963. Bolivia has large rivers that are tributaries to the Amazon which are patrolled to prevent smuggling and drug trafficking. There is also a Bolivian Naval presence on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, across which runs along the Peruvian frontier.

 
Naval Ensign of Bolivia

Landlocked Bolivia has not become reconciled with the loss of its coast to Chile, and the Navy exists to keep the hope of recovering its coast alive by cultivating a maritime consciousness.[43] The Bolivian Navy takes part in many parades and government functions, but none more so than the Día Del Mar (Day of the Sea) in which Bolivia, every year, asks for the coast territories lost to Chile during the War of the Pacific (fought between Peru and Bolivia against Chile) from 1879 to 1884. This is still a sore point for Bolivia, influencing many modern-day political actions and trade decisions.[44]

Districts

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The Navy is organized into ten naval districts, with flotilla headquarters in Guaqui, Guayaramerín, Puerto Suárez, Riberalta, and San Pedro de Tiquina, and bases in Puerto Busch, Puerto Horquilla, Puerto Villarroel, Trinidad, and Rurrenabaque.

Naval vessels include several dozen boats, dozen or more of which are for riverine patrol, including the piranias, and riders, which are powerful river boats. In addition, Bolivia has several seagoing vessels, including the Santa Cruz de la Sierra (PR-51), and several flagged ships that sail with the permission of the "Capitanias Navales" Naval Registration Office. The Libertador Simón Bolívar, a ship acquired from Venezuela, use to navigate from its home port in Rosario, Argentina on the River Paraná. In 1993, the Navy was formally renamed the Naval Force (Fuerza Naval) and moved with the Bolivian Army under a single military authority.

Most of the officers are often educated in the Naval Academy where they graduate with a BS in Military and Naval Science, diploma accredited by the Military University and then they do other studies at the bachelor's degree and master's level. Argentina has their Naval Military Group in Bolivia advising at the highest level in naval strategy and tactics. Many Bolivian officers practice ocean sailing in Argentinean big naval ships. The Bolivian Navy has several Special Forces units to address both internal and external conflicts.

 
Marines of Bolivia marching in Cochabamba.

The Bolivian Naval Force covers the extensive river and lake Bolivian territory divided between the following functions Naval Districts, note that the names of these units are derived from the basin or region where they operate:

    • DN1 Primer Distrito Naval "BENI"- DN1 First Naval District "BENI"
    • DN2 Segundo Distrito Naval- "MAMORE"- DN2 Second Naval District "MAMORA"
    • DN3 Tercer Distrito Naval "MADERA" -DN3 Third Naval District "Madera"
    • DN4 Cuarto Distrito Naval "TITICACA" -DN4 Fourth Naval District Titicaca
    • DN5 Quinto Distrito Naval "SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA" -DN5 Fifth Naval District "SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA"
    • DN6 Sexto Distrito Naval "COBIJA" -Sixth Naval District DN6 "COBIJA"
    • The Naval Service Areas:
      • AN 1 "COCHABAMBA" – Naval Area 1 "Cochabamba"
      • AN 2 "SANTA CRUZ" – Naval Area 2 "SANTA CRUZ"
      • AN 3 "BERMEJO" – Naval Area 3 "Bermejo"
      • AN 4 "LA PAZ" – Naval Area 4 "La Paz"
    • And the special units:
      • Fuerza de Tarea "Diablos Azules"- Task Force "Blue Devils"
      • Servicio de Inteligencia Naval – SINDA Naval Intelligence Service – SINDA
      • Grupo de Reacción Inmediata GRIN -Immediate Response Group GRIN
      • El Centro de Instrucción de Buceo en Altura- High Altitude Diving Training Center
      • Command Training Center Amphibians

Marine corps

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Bolivian Marines above inflatable boats.

The Marine component of the FNB originated with the creation of the Marine Battalion Almirante Grau in the early 1980s. This unit of 600 men is based on Tiquina naval base on Lake Titicaca. Later changes name to Marine Battalion Independence, based in Chua (Not to be confused with the Independence RI17 EB).At present this battalion maintains a similar number of troops including premilitares. Staff of this unit is part of Task Force Blue Devils or are stationed in various naval bases. There are currently seven infantry battalions which are distributed as follows:

  • Primer Distrito Naval "BENI"- First Naval District "BENI"
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina I "Bagué"- 1st Marine Battalion "Bagué"
  • Segundo Distrito Naval "MAMORE"- Second Naval District "MAMORA"
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina II "Tocopilla"- 2nd Marine Battalion "Tocopilla"
  • Tercer Distrito Naval "MADERA"- Third Naval District "MADERA"
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina III "Mejillones"- Marine Battalion III "Mejillones"
  • Cuarto Distrito Naval "TITICACA"- Fourth Naval District Titicaca
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina IV "Alianza " -Marine Infantry Battalion IV "Alliance"
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina Mecanizada VI "Independencia"- Marine Infantry Battalion Mechanized VI "Independence"
  • Quinto Distrito Naval "SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA"- Fifth Naval District "SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA"
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina V "Calama"- Marine Battalion V Calama
  • Sexto Distrito Naval "COBIJA"- Sixth Naval District "COBIJA"
    • Batallón de Infantería de Marina VII "Columna Porvenir"- Marine Battalion VII "Columna Porvenir"
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This specialty is essentially similar to its counterpart in the Army, carrying out operations such as Important Persons Protection (IPP) Physical Security (SEF) or Patrol Facility (PAT), with additions such as signals or naval protocol. There Naval detachments of PM in all district headquarters or FNB Naval Area. But only have the following units at the Battalion:

  • AN 4 " La Paz "- AN 4 "La Paz"
    • Batallón de Policía Militar Naval N° 1- 1st Naval Military Police Battalion
  • AN 1 "COCHABAMBA"- AN 1 "Cochabamba"
    • Batallón de Policia Militar Naval N° 2 "Carcaje"- 2nd Naval Military Police Battalion "Quiver"
  • AN 2 "SANTA CRUZ"- AN 2 "SANTA CRUZ"
  • Batallón de Policía Militar Naval N° 3 -Naval Military Police Battalion No. 3
  • Cuarto Distrito Naval "TITICACA"- Fourth Naval District Titicaca
    • Batallón de Policía Militar Naval N° 4- Naval Military Police Battalion No. 4

Strength

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Boats

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The Bolivian Navy has a total of 173 vessels, mostly stationed on Lake Titicaca:

  • PATROL:
  • 1 Class PR-51
  • 6 class boats Cap. Bretel Bretel
  • 4 patrol boats lake
  • 32 Boston Whaler
  • UNITS SALVAGE:
  • 8 Piranha assault boats Mk.1
  • 3 Boats hospitals
  • 2 Transport of hydrocarbons
  • 2 Tanker Ships
  • 1 Transport
  • 1 Ship "Naval School"[citation needed]
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Bolivia's navy operates one utility aircraft for the use of headquarters.

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service[42] Notes
Cessna 340   United States Utility 340 1

Conscription

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Since 1904 military service has been compulsory for all fit males between the ages of eighteen and forty-nine. In practice, however, budgetary limitations strictly limited the number of eligible men conscripted, and those traditionally tended to be mostly Indians. Beginning in 1967, conscripts were legally held on active duty for up to two years, but funds seldom permitted even a full year's service. Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) and warrant officers, all of whom were volunteers, generally were drawn from mixed-blood cholos (those of Spanish and Indian descent). In the late 1980s, the service obligation was one year, and conscripts had to be at least nineteen years of age. The FF.AA. commander reported in early 1989 that the largest percentage of conscripts came from the middle class. One explanation for this change could have been the flocking of youths to the lucrative coca paste-making business. Military authorities in the Cochabamba area in particular began to experience growing difficulty in enlisting volunteers in the mid-1980s. Consequently, the military reportedly was resorting to pressganging eighteen-year-olds off the city streets to fill their annual quotas.

Training installations

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Training installations include the Garras International Antinarcotics Training School (Escuela Garras del Valor) is a military training facility located in Bolivia, which trains military and law enforcement personnel from Bolivia and other Latin American countries[citation needed] in counternarcotics, intelligence, and counterinsurgency techniques.[45][46][47]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ley Orgánica de las FFAA" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  2. ^ "CIA World Facts". Retrieved 2 July 2021.
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