The Venezuelan government Thursday claimed that the two million civilians who will make up the so-called Venezuelan Military Reserve (RMV) shall do it voluntarily since the Venezuelan Constitution does not contemplate the compulsory conscription.

"The civilian enrolment in the RMV is not compulsory as conscription in Venezuela is forbidden as provided for in the National Constitution," said Deputy Minister of the Interior and Justice Augusto Montiel when asked by reporters.

President Hugo Chávez stated in his Sunday radio and TV show "Aló, Presidente," broadcast by official TV channel Venezolana de Televisión, that the country will have "between one million and a half and two million reservists who will be organized, trained, and properly equipped to readily defend -along with the Venezuelan people- the sovereignty and greatness of this land," reported news agency Efe.