| Area Total | 912,050 sq km |
| Climate | tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands |
| Natural Resources | petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds |
| Imports | agricultural products, livestock, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials, medical equipment, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel products – US 24.8%, China 14.2%, Mexico 9.5% (2017) |
| Government | federal presidential republic |
| Capital | Caracas |
| Population | 31,689,176 (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | unspecified Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people |
| Language | Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects |
| Exports | petroleum and petroleum products, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products – US 34.8%, India 17.2%, China 16%, Netherlands Antilles 8.2%, Singapore 6.3%, Cuba 4.2% (2017) |
News about Venezuela
- Trump threatens tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, tightening pressure on Mexico
on January 30, 2026U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that opens the door to imposing tariffs on imports from countries deemed to be supplying crude oil to Cuba, a move designed to raise the external cost of keeping Havana’s energy lifeline open and further constrain fuel flows to the island.
- US returns seized oil tanker to Venezuela amid broader energy policy shift
on January 30, 2026The United States government this week returned the seized oil tanker M/T Sophia to Venezuela, reflecting a broader shift in U.S. energy policy toward Caracas amid efforts to normalize commercial ties, U.S. officials said Wednesday. The move comes after several high‑profile seizures of vessels tied to Venezuelan oil shipping.
- Petro revives anti-Trump rhetoric, urges U.S. to “return” Maduro ahead of Feb. 3 White House meeting
on January 28, 2026Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has revived his sharpest anti-Trump rhetoric days before a planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, calling on Washington to “return” Nicolás Maduro so he can be tried in Venezuela rather than in U.S. courts.
- Marco Rubio: “Our relationship with Delcy Rodríguez's government is productive and respectful”
on January 28, 2026U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Washington is not considering “any military action” in Venezuela, as he testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to outline the Trump administration’s strategy following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
- Venezuela’s draft hydrocarbons reform faces extensive legislative scrutiny
on January 28, 2026Venezuela’s proposed hydrocarbons law overhaul is under intense legislative scrutiny, with more than 80 amendments submitted by lawmakers, legal experts and energy sector associations ahead of a planned final vote, Reuters reported Tuesday.
- U.S. prepares general licence to ease Venezuelan energy sanctions after Maduro capture
on January 28, 2026The United States is preparing a general licence to ease sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector, aiming to facilitate an estimated $2 billion oil supply deal between Caracas and Washington, U.S. government sources told Reuters on Tuesday. The move is part of a strategic shift in U.S. policy after the Jan. 3 capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás […]
- Marco Rubio says U.S. may use force again in Venezuela if Delcy Rodríguez “does not cooperate”
on January 28, 2026U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will tell the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday that Washington is prepared to “use force” again in Venezuela if it determines that acting president Delcy Rodríguez is not cooperating “to the level” expected by President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a draft of his prepared remarks […]
- Delcy Rodriguez meets Repsol, Chevron and Shell as Venezuela pushes oil law overhaul to draw investment
on January 27, 2026Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez met on Monday in Caracas with representatives of oil companies including Repsol, Chevron and Shell to discuss a hydrocarbons law reform now moving through the National Assembly, as her government seeks to attract private and foreign investment. The meeting took place at PDVSA facilities and forms part of a […]
- Lula urges Trump to limit “Peace Board” to Gaza in call covering governance, Venezuela and bilateral agenda
on January 26, 2026Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a phone call on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump, in a nearly hour-long conversation that blended global governance issues with the bilateral agenda. Brazilian media, citing Planalto Palace sources, reported that Lula argued Trump’s proposed “Peace Board” should be restricted exclusively to […]
- Venezuela releases “at least 80” political prisoners as families wait outside jails
on January 26, 2026Venezuela freed “at least 80” political prisoners on Sunday across multiple detention facilities, according to a preliminary count by rights group Foro Penal, in a slow-moving release process that has left relatives camping outside prisons while awaiting official confirmation.
