BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

CURRENT NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS

The Bolivarian Revolution instituted by Hugo Chavez led to a modification of the Venezuelan national flag (which also serves as the naval ensign), the arc of stars on the blue stripe being increased from seven to eight. This change symbolizes the Venezuelan claim to Guayana Esequiba, a former British territory that is now part of independent Guyana. Modern Venezuela is divided into seven regions; Guayana Esequiba is considered the "lost eighth." This design change also affected the naval jack and the senior officer pennant. The other naval appointment and rank flags, which had been adopted in the late 1990's were not changed. In addition to the flags for naval senior appointments and flag officers, there are special designs for the use of the President and the Minister of Defense when aboard naval vessels.

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