Venezuela is readying itself for a face-off with the world’s most formidable military. President Nicolás Maduro has already instructed the Venezuelan forces to be on high alert. Their navy stands poised, while American forces have mobilized lethal fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22 Raptors, alongside powerful warships. The question remains whether Venezuela possesses enough strength to withstand such potency. Let’s delve into a comparative analysis of both military powers…
According to the Global Firepower Index (GFP) of 2025, there exists a substantial disparity in military capabilities between the USA and Venezuela. The USA retains its place as the number one military superpower globally, while Venezuela is positioned 50th amongst 145 nations.
The Global Firepower Index assesses the power of armed forces across more than 60 factors, including troop numbers, weaponry, budget, and resources. Lower PwrIndx scores signify greater strength. The USA ranks first with a score of 0.0744, while Venezuela ranks 50th with 0.8882.
Source: aajtak
1. Troops and Manpower
USA: 1.328 million active personnel, 799,000 reservists, with 4.445 million entering military age annually.
Venezuela: 109,000 active personnel, only 8,000 reservists, and 625,000 reaching military age each year.
Comparison: The manpower of the USA vastly outnumbers that of Venezuela, making it vastly more prepared for large-scale conflicts.
2. Air Force
USA: 13,043 combat aircraft, including advanced fighters like the F-22 and F-35.
Venezuela: Only 229 aircraft, mostly older models acquired from Russia and China, such as the Su-30MK2, struggling with maintenance issues.
Comparison: The US Air Force remains the largest and most modern globally, whereas Venezuela’s aerial power is limited and outdated.
Source: aajtak
3. Army
USA: 391,000 armored vehicles. 5500 tanks. Missile systems like HIMARS.
Venezuela: 8,802 armored vehicles, mostly aging and under-maintained.
Comparison: The US Army is modern and expansive, while Venezuela’s ground forces are smaller and have less capability.
4. Navy
USA: 440 naval vessels, including 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines.
Venezuela: Only 34 vessels, primarily for coastal defense, lacking major warship capabilities.
Comparison: The US Navy is the most powerful globally, whereas Venezuela’s naval capability is extremely limited.
5. Budget and Resources
USA: With a defense budget of $895 billion—the highest worldwide—accompanied by vast reserves of oil, gas, and coal.
Venezuela: Less than $2 billion budget, grappling with economic constraints, despite possessing significant oil reserves with limited military application.
Comparison: US budget and resources far surpass Venezuela’s, offering technological and training superiority.
Source: aajtak
6. Other Factors
USA: Over 750 foreign military bases, NATO alliances, and an edge in cyber and space warfare.
Venezuela: Receives military support from Russia, China, and Iran but lacks nuclear weapons or modern cyber capabilities. It focuses on asymmetric warfare and regime protection.
Comparison: America’s global reach and alliances underscore its status as a superpower, while Venezuela's military strength is more regional and limited.
The comparison articulates how the USA’s military power thoroughly overshadows Venezuela in every dimension. Its vast budget, advanced weaponry, and global alliances cement its position as the world’s foremost military force. Meanwhile, Venezuela's military struggles with economic turmoil, outdated armament, and maintenance deficiencies, emphasizing a defense-oriented stance. The disparity in military capacities between these two nations is starkly evident.
