General Ernesto Pérez commands the 321st Caribe Brigade. In June 2019, according to Venezuelan media outlets, the authorities arrested eight soldiers for allegedly plotting against the government, including plans to detain Pérez, among others.
The general, who was born in 1971, is listed as treasurer for Cooperativa Madariaga 11, a company that is listed as providing travel, food, accommodation, and entertainment services. However, the address listed for its office is actually a metalworks shop.