Flag of Venezuela - Customs and Regulations

Customs and Regulations

As with most other national flags, the Venezuelan flag should be flown every day by the legally registered public institutions from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Private institutions, businesses and citizens should fly the flag on national holidays or on days determined by the National Executive. Institutions which should fly the flag by obligation are:

• The Federal Legislative Palace, when the National Assembly is in session and buildings in which a legislative council is being held,
• Public national, state and municipal offices on national holidays and other days determined by special resolution of the relevant authorities,
• Embassies, legations, consulates and other national agencies abroad, on national holidays or when required by the protocol of the host nation,
• Miraflores Palace, the building of the office of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, daily,
• Buildings of the Armed Forces, fortresses and other military buildings, as determined by law and pertinent regulations,
• Venezuelan merchant ships, using the civil ensign, since they operate in a civil capacity.

There is currently no regulation as to the dimensions of the flag, its use inside private or public institutions or by the public in general, its form and protocol. The conventions that currently exist have been freely determined. Nevertheless, educational institutions currently follow a protocol modeled on the regulations issued for the armed forces for use in raising the flag on special days.

Out of respect for the flag, popular culture holds that upon raising the flag, the national anthem should be played and all present should stand still, straight, with closed hands at the sides and without any headgear.