Venezuela – Market Entry Guide
OVERVIEW
Venezuela represents a generational commercial opportunity for global natural resource partners with USA-based enterprises leading the way in Energy, Mining, Oil & Gas and Infrastructure. While social & political conditions gradually stabilize, there is a broad effort to address economic issues affecting the quality of life for a population of 25MM + an engaged diaspora worldwide, some contemplating return.
The pending industrial construction boom should provide 10-15+ years of continuous work on projects throughout the country. Glaring challenges requiring immediate attention include restoration of the national power grid, addressing the void of reliable construction equipment assets, and staffing competent and experienced project management. Exploratory teams will assess initial costs associated with construction equipment & materials acquisition, logistics, employing national & expat staff, housing, security, local outreach and subcontractor partnerships.
Understanding the complexities of remote construction projects in rural Venezuela is critical. Maintaining operational consistency and avoiding unplanned work stoppages will be challenging and inherently require elements of project staff tasked with managing mutually beneficial relationships with regional stakeholders. Having lived and worked “in-country” six (6) years during the “Apertura Petrolera” – the last economic boom – I understand the challenges for incoming commercial partners & general contractors.
ECONOMIC SIGNS OF LIFE
Management & staff have been deploying to Venezuela since April: verifiable in construction equipment and general contractors, oil & gas services, mining, private security, hospitality + other sectors. OEM Equipment Dealers (CAT & XCMG) are actively hiring nationals and interviewing expats for roles in the country.
Conferences and forums touting business opportunities have become frequent since mid-Summer, most notably in Houston & Caracas in recent weeks. Key managers are attending to gain clarity from speakers, breakout sessions, and networking with industry peers sharing market-entry agendas. Numerous events are scheduled through Q1/2027, in Venezuela and internationally.
Global financiers, investors and insurers are paying close attention to details and mechanisms crafted to offer confidence that a “guarantor of last resort” is defined & credible in a sovereign market fraught with expropriations for over 50 years. The “acting” Venezuelan Government has signed a litany of agreements with international players in the last few months, albeit under the tutelage of the United States and compliance with the U.S. Department of the Treasury & Office of Foreign Asset Control. OFAC licenses have been broadly issued to induce momentum in exploratory activity, negotiations, agreements and investment.
POWER GENERATION – JOB #1
OPPORTUNITY -> sales of stand-alone Prime-Power units & larger packages (working in parallel): 500kW – 2.5MW, 60Hz cycle, Low and Medium Voltage with Diesel Engines (EPA Tier-3 or lower) – until resolved, most industrial projects (Oil & Gas, Mining, etc) should provide internal, self-sufficient solutions as part of their bid package
The electrical grid in Venezuela is a feeble, fractured mess with consistent outages & rolling backouts nationally, due to component and transmission infrastructure degradation and management issues. Five (5) legacy hydroelectric facilities designed to provide 70% – 80% of total national supply currently operate collectively producing about 55% of design capacity.
Resolving electricity issues is paramount as rebuilding and operating heavy industry will present increased usage for many years far beyond current demand. U.S. Government backed prospects include reliance on “GE Vernova” to reconstitute 1GW within 24 months and 5GW in 48 months (hydroelectric).
Akin to the “data center usage” debate in the USA (local grid overload), Venezuelans have a legitimate concern that electricity assets coming online will power new industrial ventures at the expense of lights, kitchen appliances & AC in their homes – a frequent topic on socio-political discourse platforms.
OCEAN FREIGHT & LOGISTICS
OPPORTUNITY -> staff logistics experts tasked with managing carriers, documentation, vessels (RO/RO, Breakbulk, Containers) and occasionally “inducing & chartering” vessels to reduce shipping costs for large packages of machinery, parts and materials
Ocean freight service into Venezuela must be enhanced to properly serve a booming economy and reduce current rates to normalcy. Today there is only one (1) regularly scheduled RO/RO service (major carrier) from the United States into Venezuela, sailing monthly out of South Florida with a six-day transit time into Puerto Cabello, a small vessel with limited space.
“Roll-On/Roll-Off” (RO/RO) service from USA ports of Galveston, Miami, Jacksonville, Savannah, Baltimore, with weekly service will be ideal.
Venezuela Ports serving industrial zones and projects –
- Guanta (Eastern, Orinoco Belt greenfield projects)
- Maracaibo (Western, Cabimas, Boscan fields, brownfield)
- Cabello (Central, containers, RO/RO)
- La Guaira (Caracas, containers, breakbulk)
- Ordaz (Southeastern, inland via river, serving mining and aggregates)
Equipment delivery (non-containerized) from USA is limited & expensive. Breakbulk vessels – loading and unloading with onboard cranes – are handling most of the construction, oilfield and mining gear with few options and minimal sailing frequency – inland crossings from Colombia are happening.
EQUIPMENT, PARTS, SERVICE
Opportunity -> experts in global equipment procurement/sales, OEM equipment dealer experience, capital asset management, logistics, importation and/or experience with diesel engine modifications for use with local fuels
USA and International EPC contractors will require full & complete equipment fleets accompany their staffs to Venezuela – from welding machines & lights towers to 400-Ton cranes and everything in-between, EPC contractors will need to bring it all: power generation, construction equipment, staff, etcetera. Equipment acquisition experience from global sources will be important, as will technical knowledge of diesel engine emissions & dealing with high-Sulphur fuels prevalent in Venezuela.
The country lacks a network of “competent subcontractors” to field reliable equipment fleets, staff and facilities necessary to perform. Most large GC’s departed Venezuela two decades ago and took their equipment with them: Panama, Colombia, Dominican Republic and elsewhere.
Some “previously dormant” Venezuelans are actively investing in their Country again – acquiring & importing construction equipment – with the expectation of creating self-sustaining incomes. This offers limited opportunity for USA-based equipment exporters, as diesel engines must be compliant with EPA Tier-3 standards (made prior to 2012) to operate with locally available fuels (5000 PPM Sulphur content).
The broader labor market (equipment operators, service techs), awaits the arrival of global natural resource “majors and juniors” + reactivation of national private enterprises and the employment generated by the economic boom. These are the extremes on the opportunity spectrum, representing an array of time horizons.
OEM EQUIPMENT DEALERS
Opportunity -> experts with OEM equipment dealer experience
The sales & support landscape for OEM construction equipment in Venezuela is precarious, and concerning when measured against pending demand – complete with geopolitical undertones
- “Consorcio de Congestion Venequip” (VENEQUIP) has been named the XCMG OEM Distributor/Dealer for Venezuela (September 2026) – Headquartered in Valencia (sales & service operations) & administration in Barquisimeto, VENEQUIP has five (5) additional sales & services branches in major industrial markets
- XCMG is a Chinese State-Owned company, #1 in China for construction and related equipment & ranked #3 globally after CAT (Caterpillar) & Komatsu
- VENEQUIP was previously the CAT OEM Dealer in Venezuela from 1991-2019, until their “master agreement” with CAT was rescinded due to U.S. Treasury Dept Sanctions on Venezuela
- “MACORP Venezuela” was named the “new” CAT OEM Distributor/Dealer (April 2026) currently with administrative presence in Caracas and no active sales & service branches yet established. Parts and direct sales are currently facilitated via “sister CAT dealerships” in Colombia and Guyana
Regardless of OEM brand & their respective machine populations in any market – a lack of readily available, competent & responsive service capability is a real & present liability for end-user “equipment uptime” metrics. EPC contractors must have a plan including an option to “bring it all”, including a supply chain for delivery of low-Sulphur diesel & DEF, for use with construction equipment compliant with EPA Tier-4F engines.
MINING, OIL & GAS – CHRONOLOGY
Opportunity -> expertise on large construction projects – ideally in Venezuela, project management, contracts administration, experience with local culture and relatability at each layer of the team
Entrepreneurial & investment momentum in Venezuela is currently with the “juniors” aka “wildcats” (private exploration & operators), Service Companies and International Construction Contractors (Bechtel, Fluor, Wood Group, KBR, Baker-Hughes, SLB) sharing the unique perspective of limited and palatable risk, primarily based on their client’s ability to pay for services rendered in offshore currency.
Global construction contractors have deployed exploratory groups to assess “urgent” brownfield & greenfield projects and will enjoy preferential consideration when the “majors” are ready to enter Venezuela for 10-15 years of highly profitable business building infrastructure.
Publicly traded “U.S. majors” – Energy, Oil & Gas, Mining & Infrastructure – answer to their respective Board of Directors (BOD) with oversight responsibility on strategy & investments often with implications for many decades. Venezuela presents clear challenges influenced by socio-political & security conditions (stability), project assessments, balance sheet & revenue projections, all while managing the Trump administration’s aggressive push for “good news” ahead of Election Day in November.
STAFFING
Opportunity -> EPC contractor global talent bench + “utility players” with deep cultural & societal knowledge, language proficiency and project expertise as the glue that enables a team of nationals and expats to work together seamlessly in achieving common goals
Service Companies and EPC Contractors (Bechtel, Fluor, Wood Group, KBR, Baker-Hughes, SLB) will draw from their staff of managers and engineers worldwide to ensure execution & QA/QC on projects in Venezuela – that is exactly what Chevron did – with great effect – to staff projects for the last O&G boom, the “Apertura Petrolera”.
Qualified Venezuelan professionals with relevant experience will be employed by international organizations in a highly competitive labor market for their services. Expect “bidding wars” for these personnel assets for the first few years.
Venezuela has a tremendous shortage of professional talent “in-country” required to execute the rebuilds and long-term administration & operation of the country’s vast natural resources. The exodus of technical professionals began more than two decades ago and those who make up the “diaspora” have settled in dozens of countries and achieved asylum, dual citizenship, strong ties, kids in school, new “safe & secure” lives established…most are 35-50 years old & simply cannot fathom relocating their families to today’s Venezuela. Expect approximately thirty percent (30%) of Venezuelan’s abroad have interest in returning anytime soon.
SUMMARY
Rebuilding Venezuela represents a generational opportunity to consolidate commercial partnerships in the Western Hemisphere (USA leadership) and creating a global trading bloc insulated from other regions that do not share similar cultural values.
The geopolitical implications are profound, and Venezuela is a key partner with vast natural resources and 100+ years of cultural & commercial ties to the United States, and now stewardship during political and economic transition.
Entrants to the market should plan for business opportunities of 10-15 years & staff their organizations, leveraging successful global teams per prior templates & including expat talent with “in-country” project and cultural experience.
Contact: Bret Creech, Cell/WhatsApp# +1-813-922-9840 / Email: info@mistermaquinaria.com
* My intention is direct engagement – joining a team – leading and/or mentoring a team involved in the rebuilding of Venezuela’s industrial infrastructure; including and not limited to consulting, deployment, third-party acquisition of the “Mister Maquinaria” brand well-established in Latin America for nine years, engaged in the global trade of construction equipment – scaling the model
Rebuilding Venezuela – Opportunity & Path Forward
It is clear we are nearing the end of the Chavez-Maduro era: the “starting bell” is now ringing for organizations yet to establish an exploratory group tasked with assessing commercial opportunity. For those planning to participate in the recovery and reconstruction of Venezuela, it’s time to consider historical context, make reasonable comparisons (pre-Chavez vs now) regarding transformation of local cultures, current societal realities (in-country & diaspora), and focus on what comes next.
What organizations should know regarding opportunities and expected duration –
- Venezuela is a founding member of OPEC and possesses the world’s largest known oil & gas reserves, approximately 20% of the global total
- Chavez Era production peaked in 2008 at 2.4 MM BPD, currently production hovers around 700,000 BPD and declining
- Oil & Gas required annual investment = USD$15-$20 Billion, medium-term (5-10 years) – predominantly from private sources – with expectation of three (3) years to increase production to 1.5 MM BPD – per Francisco Monaldi*
- Agricultural Equipment required annual investment = USD$5 Billion, during next 5-8 years – per Hiram Gaviria*
- Transportation Infrastructure estimated annual investment = USD$10 Billion, next 5-10 years
- Electrical Power Grid investment requirement = USD$1.5 Billion – next 3 years
Who are likely candidates from the USA? We begin with Oil & Gas Exploration companies and their classic support network (Chevron is currently operating there under a US Govt waiver). Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) firms: Bechtel, Foster-Wheeler, Fluor, others, and their competent sub-contractors – teams capable of handling projects broad in scope: oil & gas facilities to transportation infrastructure, water systems, electric power plants/grids and likely some expansive agricultural/farming infrastructure. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of earthmoving, mining, construction, power generation, agricultural, pipeline and associated machinery. Manufacturers & Suppliers of Construction Material. USA-based Service Partners engaged in rebuilding high-value capital equipment and spares for heavy industry – in Venezuela these networks, contractors and service providers have been depleted and are currently unreliable.
In my opinion, an irreversible process leading to change in government consistent with the demands of the political opposition lead by Juan Guaido, National Assembly President, will likely commence within sixty (60) days, and certainly by the end of 2019. Criteria as follows –
- El Cese de Usurpación – End of the Usurpation of Power (by Nicolas Maduro)
- Gobierno de Transición – Transitional Government based on Plan Pais model*
- Elecciones Libres – Free and Fair Elections within 9-12 months
Involving oneself in “nation building” is not a typical career discussion; however, my unique experience and strong ties to Venezuela & Latin America require a sharing & transfer of knowledge intended to accelerate relief for a traumatized population and commence a complete rebuild of their Country. Déjà vu, all over again…what happens next has been foreshadowed by what transpired two decades ago during Venezuela’s brief, and sole period of Oil & Gas industry privatization in the last 43 years.
Upon arrival in Venezuela (April 1996), I was an ExPat “operations manager” for a coal stockpile & loading facility on Lake Maracaibo: receiving product (predominantly from Colombia), sizing and loading oceangoing ships with tugboats, barges and clamshells into the holds: a process built on archaic technology, as was the reality for many sectors of society. Coincidentally, a longer-term opportunity was just ramping-up under the administration of President Rafael Caldera: Venezuela’s “Apertura Petrolera”, a privatization effort inviting multi-national companies into the Oil & Gas industry via partnerships with PDVSA and other government entities. Oil & Gas revenues were in decline following twenty years of “nationalization” (1976-1996) which left production infrastructure poorly maintained and dilapidated due to endemic corruption.
The first round of privatizations began in January 1996, and structured to leverage the capital, experience and technology investment of international partners. Bidding packages were presented on specific oil field “blocks” via long-term production leases, usually 20 years – with the government taking royalties after partner-operators met a measurable threshold, defined by unique agreements. The clock started when a partnership deal was signed. At the time, Venezuela was exporting crude at approximately 2.8 MM barrels per day, sourced mainly from mature fields on Lake Maracaibo, Cabimas and several others in Western Venezuela. By mid-1997, the vast, previously unquantified reserves in the East of the Country (Orinico Belt, Anaco, Jusepin, El Furrial, Dacion, Pariaguan, etc), were undergoing significant expansion on the shoulders of the new “private sector partners”, increasingly managing operations, exploration and refinement of the Country’s vast petroleum and natural gas deposits.
Chevron, Conoco, ENI, Total, LASMO, ExxonMobil and a multitude of other “internationals” were participating, mainly building new facilities in Eastern Venezuela with experienced, domestic contractors executing the civil works and mechanical builds under project management by competent international contractors – a classic Oil & Gas boom. The Venezuelan Government was “having it’s cake and eating it too”, overseeing a revenue-earning model with much needed investment financed predominantly by international corporations.
Enter President Hugo Chavez in February 1999, with a socialist agenda including the re-nationalization of Oil & Gas exploration, extraction, refining, and other natural resource industries: most notably coal, gold, iron ore mining and processing. Fortunately for Venezuela’s petroleum industry, three years into the front-end investment significant completion of upgrades and new facilities construction had been executed by the international partners, most were in early production mode. Over the next few years President Chavez methodically began the “buyouts” of block concessions granted under the “Apertura Petrolera”, and the Country was again subject to the “culture of corruption” that had precipitated the decline of production experienced several years prior. Chavez also had a popular revolt on his hands in response to aligning his government with Cuba. Venezuela became polarized as dissident businesses, politicians and individuals were marginalized – property and commercial interests were confiscated and placed under the management of Military leaders and Chavista loyalists. Capital flight and a “brain drain” ensued, finally capped with currency controls instituted in Q1/2005. Once again, the mismanagement, inexperience, ineptitude, corruption and lack of maintenance in the Oil & Gas sector – responsible for 85% of export revenue – set the table for another decline in production and revenues.
The similarities between Venezuela “then & now” are clear – so are the stark differences. Expectations moving forward require the recognition of a “new reality”: a country void of technical experience, competent general contractors, heavy machinery, materials and social stability. For the next several years, direct investment in Venezuela won’t be for the faint of heart, while the upside could be strong and sustained for decades.
Demand for the human capital required to competently manage the massive slate of projects will far exceed short-term supply. In my view it is naïve to expect educated and experienced Venezuelans in exile to return in large numbers, at least not quickly. Plan Pais*, a Venezuelan Exile’s think-tank based in the United States, estimates only twenty percent (or less) would consider such a commitment. They would have to see an indisputable level of national unity, reconciliation and public safety to consider repatriation. An influx of Ex-Patriot talent will be required for a minimum of several years.
Painting an accurate picture of what Venezuela will be initially must include known current challenges and expected conditions on the ground based on experience – including, but not limited to the following:
- Humanitarian Relief – immediate needs to be addressed by Governments and NGO’s while economic reconstruction is simultaneously planned and executed – expect many private businesses coming into Venezuela to include staff for community outreach and quasi-NGO activities
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Dealer Networks – international companies complete with physical presence to support the rebuild of Venezuela – example: Caterpillar currently has no in-country representation as their long-standing Dealer Agreement with Venequip, was recently voided – expect a boom of new machinery imports, all types
- Offshore Service Support & Equipment Sourcing – due to the mass exodus of Venezuelan contractors and support business in the 2003-2006 time-frame, “outsourcing” with USA-based (and other international) businesses will have representatives deployed to manage local administration & logistics serving heavy industry and others using their products – expect massive imports beginning with second-hand machinery of all types
- Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contractors – as with the “Apertura Petrolera”, large contractors (complete with equipment fleets) will be required to execute the construction of facilities in all sectors: Oil & Gas, Mining, Agriculture, Water Systems, Power Generation, Health Services, Education, etc – long-term operating contracts with guarantees will be required to mitigate risk and entice investment
- Oil & Gas Exploration and Production – international companies will arrive in droves to bid on long-term contracts in this industry and other infrastructure projects – natural resource wealth will serve as collateral for direct foreign investment, crafted with financial instruments to guarantee performance of all parties
- Dollarization of Economy – happening now (by necessity) and likely to become an interim policy for the transitional government, remaining until economic stability is achieved
- Security, Public Safety & Bad Actors – upon regime change Nicolas Maduro, top level political cronies, Venezuelan military brass and security forces, Cuban influencers will depart, be taken into custody and/or fracture into formidable elements bent on survival until they are dealt with depending on agreements, reconciliation attempts and public sentiment. Under Hugo Chavez, many private businesses were expropriated and handed over to military brass, thereby politicizing the armed forces and empowering leaders to manage graft and their own enrichment – Colectivos, Cuban-style civil obedience enforcer groups will be disbanded and disarmed – Colombian guerilla groups (FARC) operating in Western Venezuela on the Colombia Border and (ELN) profiteering via wildcat gold mining mainly in Eastern Bolivar State, likely dealt with via limited military incursion
- Military Rank & File – lower level officers and their subordinates will be needed in restructuring the National Guard and Security Forces loyal to the transitional and future governments – prior to the ascension of Hugo Chavez, the armed forces were a neutral body, expect a future Constitution to restore that status
- Socio-Economic Inequality – fighting corruption and inequality (not socialism) were the principal planks of Hugo Chavez’s original campaign in 1998: a winning message resonating with the vast-majority of the population, desperate for relief from the scourge of corruption and perpetual relegation into poverty – no solution can be considered “long-term” without addressing these issues in a way which instills confidence and trust within the disenfranchised
- Chavismo as a Political Force – Hugo Chavez was a charismatic phenomenon, and a logical human response to many decades of poor governance and disregard for the masses by the “connected elite”. To that end, Chavismo will never die in Venezuela because it represents “gained ground”, hope and true representation for those previously marginalized. Much like the FARC peace accord of 2016 in Colombia, a “reconciliation with reality” is required to lend legitimacy and empower the political voice of those who subscribe to the fairness principles of the Chavismo vision
- Culture of Corruption & Descension into Criminality – a sensitive issue in any country, but very real and thriving in Venezuela decades before the emergence of Hugo Chavez, the Socialist rhetoric and grandiose projects during the early years (perfect with abnormally elevated crude-oil prices) fueled even more opportunities for graft by cronies and a newly politicized military elite charged with managing confiscated private businesses. By the time President Chavez was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (2011), he was already surrounded by a close-knit group of beneficiaries and enablers who were so entrenched and enriched via their corruption, there was no breaking their grip on power: enter Nicolas Maduro (2013). For the self-proclaimed “Son of Chavez”, hapless to prevent the downward spiral of institutionalized corruption & criminality, finding new revenue sources was a priority. In the last several years, wildcat gold mining, the drug trade and “refuge for protection” deals with Colombian rebel groups have provided much-needed cash flow, as have massive loans from China and Russia based on repayment via natural resources yet to be extracted. Ineptitude, greed and a willingness to remain in power “at all costs” has ensured a recovery cannot succeed under the Maduro regime, and led to US Sanctions (August) currently stifling all forms of trade and designed to force imminent change
- Crimes Against Humanity – repression and Human Rights abuses on a criminal scale have now been officially documented (July) by the United Nations OHCHR* – including 6,800 “resistance to authority” killings in 2018 alone – leaving many in the highest circles of power petrified of their likely fate and seeking to make eleventh-hour deals – when the boxes are checked for outside forces to take action in recovery of a failed State, this ranks highly
- Organization of America States & TIAR* – last week the OAS convened to discuss and approve the request of the Venezuela Interim-Government, led by Juan Guaido, to invoke the “Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance”, allowing for military intervention into Venezuelan Territory – this does not mean it will happen, but now serves as another pressure point on the Maduro-Chavista regime. In my view Colombian Armed Forces will cross Venezuela’s Western Border (at some point) in pursuit of FARC guerillas who receive safe-haven there – current political rhetoric out of Colombia alludes to the threat
- Plan Pais & Institutional Change – identifying the need for rebuilding Venezuelan institutions across all sectors – public & private – this organization’s roadmap serves as the basis of public discourse by National Assembly Member & Interim President, Juan Guaido, and on behalf of Venezuela’s opposition government. The most contentious and complicated issue, without question, will be the reversal of private property and business confiscations, a common policy tool of the Chavez Regime in the 2002-2008 period
As I position my company to participate, lead and partner in reconstruction efforts, it’s critical we share relevant experience, cultural knowledge and recent events to assess opportunities and create realistic expectations. Contact me at your convenience to discuss your interest and how we may partner.
*Links and References –
Francisco Monaldi (Plan Pais event, Tampa, March 23rd) – https://youtu.be/zZ2ioUHQgds
Hiram Gaviria (Plan Pais event, Caracas, February 1st) – https://youtu.be/rCNbMPS2L7A
Washington Post (September 15th) – OAS Treaty Invoked https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/fears-of-military-conflict-between-venezuela-and-colombia-as-tensions-over-maduro-government-escalate/2019/09/15/c2a4ff88-d621-11e9-9610-fb56c5522e1c_story.html?noredirect=on
Bloomberg (August 2nd) – US Blockade/Quarantine – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-02/u-s-headed-toward-blockade-of-venezuela-trump-official-says?utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-politics&utm_medium=social&utm_content=politics
Wilbur Ross (August 1st) – US Commerce Secretary – https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela-reconstruction-idUSKCN1UR4GS
United Nations Human Rights Council, OHCHR Report (July 5th) – https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/07/1041902
Plan Pais – Tampa Event Summary (March 22nd – 23rd) – https://www.planpais.com/segmentos2019.html
Venezuela’s Future & Plan Pais
As we monitor the ongoing political power-struggle, humanitarian crisis and breakdown of basic public services, one thing is clear: Venezuela will require a massive rebuild of their government, financial and oil and gas sectors, transportation infrastructure, water systems, food production capabilities, among others. The Country’s “opposition in-exile” has developed a plan to remove the current government from power and address the complex array of challenges facing their population – the organization is “Plan Pais” and they have a conference here in Tampa, March 22-23, 2019 – take a look…
Website: https://www.planpais.com/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_País
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/planpais
While Plan Pais has existed as an organization since 2011, “Interim President” Juan Guaidó brought it to the fore in late-January, and, addressed staff and supporters at a Plan Pais news conference in Caracas on February 1, 2019. Mr Guaido references the strategies of the organization regularly in his public speeches with thoughtful detail, while self-exiled Venezuelans manage international support from the United States and dozens more Nations around the world.
Notwithstanding recent events, change will come, and soon Venezuelans will be faced with a “complete rebuild” of their economy and social structures as they navigate the “undoing” of twenty years of administrative mismanagement under the Chavez & Maduro regimes. Prior to the Plan Pais news conference in Caracas (February 1st) a reporter interviewed Hiram Gaviria, National Assembly member and career agronomist. Explaining the critical need to reconstruct Venezuela’s ability to feed its population, Mr Gaviria stated the estimated requirement for agricultural equipment in Venezuela to be US$5Billion annually for the next 5-8 years (https://youtu.be/rCNbMPS2L7A). Expect that budget to be multiplied many times over in both the Oil & Gas and Transportation Infrastructure sectors.
Mister Maquinaria will be represented at the Tampa conference this week and seeks discussion with global partners who recognize this unique opportunity to take part in the stabilization, recovery and expansion of the Venezuela society and economic engines. Having lived, worked and married in Venezuela (1996 – 2002), I am keen to be a part of the reconstruction of the Country specific to my experience in the oil and gas sector, transportation infrastructure, and other sectors based on priorities established by Plan Pais. Please contact me with interest and let’s have a chat!
Venezuela’s “Tsunami Politico”
A seismic-shift is underway in Venezuela, with myriad implications worldwide. This is “Cuba on steroids”, with the titanic exception of a population “who once had everything” in a globally connected society, then “lost everything” under exceptionally poor governance, all while continuing to preside over unparalleled concentrations of natural resource wealth.
For those who understand the culture, society and follow events in Venezuela, the current situation and accelerated demise of President Maduro’s “Chavista” regime has a ring of finality – an overdue outcome to witness, study and document. Venezuela’s “next government” and entire Western Hemisphere, must have a cohesive plan moving forward. It appears the early chapters of transition were already written, now playing out coinciding with significant historical, recent & upcoming events:
· January 5th – Juan Guaidó chosen to lead the Venezuela National Assembly, an elected body widely recognized as the only remaining entity with a mandate from the people
· January 10th – President Maduro’s inauguration for a second, six-year term based on a rigged-election in May 2018, and boycotted by the opposition
· January 23rd – mass demonstrations across the Country and embassies around the world to coincide with this date in 1958 when a civilian-military movement overthrew the government of the Country’s last dictator, General Marcos Pérez Jiménez
· January 23rd – Caracas, Juan Guaidó, speaking to tens of thousands of supporters at the main opposition rally, declares himself “acting” President of Venezuela (referencing a clause in the current Constitution to legitimize the action) – his claim quickly recognized by the Organization of American States (OAS) and several governments, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and United States
· January 23rd – President Maduro (now disputed) announces cutting diplomatic ties with the United States: all embassy personnel ordered to leave within 72 hours; subsequently, “acting” President Juan Guaidó requests the United States diplomatic mission remain in the Country
· January 26th – deadline looms per “disputed” President Maduro’s call for all United States diplomatic personnel to depart Venezuela
· February 2nd – in eight days-time, the 20th anniversary of the first Inauguration of President Hugo Chavez – for “Chavistas” and opposition followers, a significant date
It is clear Venezuela’s “opposition in-exile” had a plan developed to remove the current government from power, finally set in-play by a convergence of events favorable for launch. Today, confrontations loom as “acting President” Juan Guaidó has stated “demonstrations and rallies will continue until liberty is achieved”. The current situation is complex but not surprising – if scripted, a compelling end to the “Chavista Era” would culminate with Nicolas Maduro standing down at the recommendation of the Armed Forces, “acting President” Juan Guaidó addressing the nation on February 2nd, calling for national peace and reconciliation, detailing the structure and actions of his transitional government, addressing the current humanitarian crisis, plan to stabilize the economy, and announcing a firm date for fresh elections later this year. The appearance of a democratic path for a peaceful transition per the Venezuelan Constitution has allowed increased international pressure which, in my view, will become overwhelming for the Maduro Regime.
President Maduro must have received the message that violent suppression of opposition dissidents at his direction, or otherwise on his watch, would bring dire consequences to himself and his “Chavista” cronies. In fact, the International Criminal Court (ICC), has a pending request by six neighboring Countries to initiate an investigation on crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the territory of Venezuela since February 12, 2014. The rank and file of Venezuela’s Armed Forces have no stomach for committing atrocities domestically, nor defending “La Patria” from regional military forces (supported by the United States) whose abilities dwarf their own experience, competency and power. Colombia comes to mind, Venezuela’s neighbor to the West and “cultural sister”, as a Peace-Keeper of good will.
Nicolas Maduro – uncharismatic, weak, inept – was always a strawman for the corrupt political beneficiaries enabled and entrenched by Hugo Chavez. The legacy and cohesion sustained under Chavez died with him in March 2013, and the fuse lit for the regime’s eventual demise.
Regardless of imminent events, change will come, and soon Venezuelans will be faced with a “complete rebuild” of their economy and social structures as they navigate the “undoing” of twenty years of administrative mismanagement, squandering of natural resources, embezzlement, fascism, thuggery and corruption. Having lived in Venezuela “before-during-after” Hugo Chavez’s ascension to power, my experience suggests there will be a powerful and admirable effort on the part of those who remained behind (a majority with no other choice) and those who fled & return quickly, to work for peace and reconciliation. National unity is another matter, a longer-term goal that is required before many others who departed – Venezuelan Nationals, business partners, etc – will feel secure enough to return.
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