| 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
- Venezuela releases political prisoners in first major gesture since Maduro’s capture
on January 8, 2026Venezuela has begun releasing a “significant number” of political prisoners, including Venezuelan citizens and foreign nationals, in what authorities described as a unilateral gesture to help consolidate peace and peaceful coexistence in the country. The announcement comes less than a week after former president Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. […]
- Venezuela releases three Argentine political prisoners
on January 8, 2026Venezuela's interim Government of caretaker President Delcy Rodríguez released a series of foreign and domestic political prisoners on Thursday, including three Argentine nationals, it was reported in Caracas.
- Venezuela's new oil revenues to be spent solely on US goods
on January 8, 2026President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that the proceeds from his country's future oil purchases from Venezuela under caretaker President Delcy Rodríguez will be spent entirely on US-made products, making Washington Caracas' new main trading partner instead of Moscow, Beijing, or Tehran.
- Trump invites Petro to White House following phone call
on January 8, 2026US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would host Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House in the coming days to resolve a "pre-war" climate between the two nations. The initiative was agreed upon after a telephone call between both leaders lasting over one hour.
- Rubio outlines three-phase plan for Venezuela's recovery
on January 8, 2026US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described on Wednesday before his country's Senate the President Donald Trump administration's three-phase plan for Venezuela’s political and economic future.
- US keeps seizing tankers linked to Venezuela
on January 8, 2026United States forces executed back-to-back seizures of two major oil tankers on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in the naval blockade of Venezuela. The operations, part of the broader "Operation Southern Spear," targeted vessels accused of defying sanctions and operating within the "dark fleet" to transport Venezuelan crude.
- PDVSA confirms negotiations with US for crude sales amid post-Maduro energy realignment
on January 7, 2026Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA confirmed on Tuesday that it is currently engaged in negotiations with the United States for the sale of crude oil volumes, framing the talks as a strictly commercial transaction.
- Trump claims control of Venezuelan oil: Up to 50 million barrels bound for US
on January 7, 2026US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Venezuela's interim authorities had agreed to "turn over" between 30 and 50 million barrels of crude oil to the United States.
- Delcy Rodríguez declares week of mourning for fallen Maduro's guardsmen
on January 7, 2026Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared seven days of national mourning to honor those fallen during the Jan. 3 US military mission to capture former ruler Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez said the week will be dedicated to the "honor and glory" of the "martyrs."
- Conspiracy theories: Why did Maduro fall so quickly?
on January 6, 2026Rumors, speculation, and conspiracy theories of all kinds are surfacing about who betrayed former Venezuelan ruler Nicolás Maduro so that US troops could abduct him from Caracas and make him stand trial in New York.
