National Guard Day in Venezuela Date in the current year: August 4, 2024

The Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela (Guardia Nacional de Venezuela), also known as the Armed Forces of Cooperation (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperación), is one of the four main service branches in the Venezuelan Armed Forces, alongside the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. The national guard serves as gendarmerie and performs civil defense roles. It also serves as a reserve light infantry force.

The roots of the National Guard can be traced back to the gendermerie formations organized in 1811 and to the National Police Guard created in 1841 by President José Antonio Páez. However, the National Guard in its present form was established by President Eleazar López Contreras on August 4, 1937. The anniversary of this event is now celebrated in the Armed Forces of Venezuela as National Guard Day.

The Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela is an all volunteer force with more than 38,000 personnel, both men and women. All recruits are required to undergo a two-year basic training course at a formation school. Future officers study for an additional 4 years at the Officers Training Academy or at the Military Technical Academy.