| Unidades de Batalla Hugo Chávez | |
| Abbreviation | UBCh |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Parent organization | PSUV |
| Affiliations | Government of Venezuela |
TheUnits of Battle Hugo Chávez (UBCh) is a collection of organizations with multiple members ofPSUV involved that has both military and political characteristics.[1]
The UBCh originated as a group to defend theBolivarian Revolution and support PSUV through electoral processes in Venezuela.[1]
These groups ofguarimberos, fascists and violent [people], and today now other sectors of the country’s population as well have gone out on the streets, I call on the UBCh, on the communal councils, on communities, on colectivos: flame that is lit, flame that is extinguished.
During the2014 Venezuelan protests, the Venezuelan government called on the UBCh to counter those protesting against the Venezuelan government.[2] On 16 February,Nicolás Maduro confirmed that President of the National Assembly,Diosdado Cabello, was to oversee the deployment of PSUV throughout the country for "peace efforts" during the protests.[3] Later that day, governor ofCarabobo State,Francisco Ameliach, stated on Twitter, "UBCH, get ready for the fulminating counter-attack. Diosdado will give the order #Respect,Gringos&Fascists".[4] On 18 February, armed individuals on motorcycles appeared at a protest inValencia, the capital city of Carabobo State, and opened fire on protesters. One protester,Génesis Carmona, was shot in the head and died a day later.[4] On 5 March, President Maduro also called on multiple government supporting groups himself, with such groups including the UBCh andcolectivos, which he ordered to make sure protests were "extinguished".[2]
The UBCh have vehicles, radios and resources to respond to any call made by the Venezuelan government.[1] According toElías Jaua, a leader of the PSUV, members of the UBCh must study the Chavista doctrine, must be responsible for mobilization, political action, including usingpropaganda about achievements of the Bolivarian Revolution, take place in government projects for communities and to combat "enemies" of the Bolivarian Revolution "in all fields".[5]
The Ten Commandments of the UBCh according to the PSUV are the following:[6]