MILITARY & SECURITY FORMER OFFICEHOLDER Verified April 2026

Domingo Hernández Lárez

Former Strategic Operational Commander of the FANB (until March 2026)

Nationality: Venezuelan Affiliations: FANB Cohorts: Military & security

At a glance

General-in-Chief Domingo Hernández Lárez served as the Strategic Operational Commander of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Armed Forces (CEOFANB) from 2021 until March 19, 2026, when he was dismissed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and replaced by Major General Rafael Prieto Martínez.

Who is Domingo Hernández Lárez?

Domingo Antonio Hernández Lárez holds the rank of General-in-Chief, the highest active rank in the Venezuelan armed forces. As Strategic Operational Commander of the FANB (CEOFANB) from 2021, he ran the day-to-day operational integration of the army, navy, air force, GNB, and militia.

He was dismissed from CEOFANB on March 19, 2026 — one day after Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López was replaced in the same Rodríguez cabinet overhaul. Major General Rafael Prieto Martínez, who had been serving as Inspector General of the FANB since October 2024, was named as his successor at CEOFANB. Hernández Lárez is a sanctions target of the U.S., EU, UK, and Canada.

Also known as: Domingo Antonio Hernández Lárez.

Career timeline

  • 2021–2026 — Strategic Operational Commander of the FANB (CEOFANB)
  • 2026 — Dismissed from CEOFANB on March 19; replaced by Major General Rafael Prieto Martínez

Network & connections

The following figures are part of Domingo Hernández Lárez's direct political, cabinet, or institutional network — useful for compliance teams mapping the wider Venezuelan power structure:

Frequently asked questions

Who is Domingo Hernández Lárez?
General-in-Chief Domingo Hernández Lárez is a former Strategic Operational Commander of Venezuela's Bolivarian National Armed Forces (CEOFANB). He held the role from 2021 until March 19, 2026, when he was dismissed by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and replaced by Major General Rafael Prieto Martínez. He is sanctioned by the U.S., EU, UK, and Canada.

Sources & further reading

Useful tools and explainers

Other military & security

6 more in this cohort

FANB high command, GNB, DGCIM, SEBIN, and the armed-forces leadership.