March 31, 2015

International Trade

 

Cargo that has arrived at Puerto Cabello:

• Over 13,000 tons of Canadian wheat for Molinos Nacionales C.A. (Monaca).
  5,000 tons of yellow corn from Argentina for Agribrands Purina Venezuela.
• 99 tons of milk in 5 containers from Canprolac Argentina for their Venezuela affiliate.

More in Spanish: (Notitarde; http://www.notitarde.com/La-Costa/Mas-de-13-mil-toneladas-de-trigo-canadiense-llegaron-al-puerto-local-2382262/2015/03/30/504034/)

 

Remittances to Colombia dropped 89.8% in 2014 as they closed at US$ 51.3 million from US$ 492 million in 2014, according to Colombia's Central Bank (Banco de la República). The drop is due to the ban imposed by the Venezuelan regime to remittances to Colombia on February 2014. (Veneconomy,  http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43307&idc=2)

 

 

Logistics & Transport

 

Comptroller reports up to six year delays in cargo leaving ports

According to the National Comptroller's annual report for 2014, imported goods arriving at Venezuelan ports can remain there for more time than legally allowed, importers do not pay the arising fines, and authorities do nothing about it. It reviewed 67 cases at the Puerto Cabello docks in which merchandise had been abandoned for one to six years with no official action. More in Spanish: (El Universal: http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150331/contraloria-siguen-retrasos-en-la-salida-de-la-mercancia-de-los-puerto)

 

 

Oil & Energy

 

Venezuela’s oil exports to the United States dropped 4.8% to 837,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2014 while exports to Europe increased 11.9% to 132,000 bpd, according to the Oil Ministry’s annual report. Asia continued being the main market last year although it also dropped 8.3% to 853,000 bpd. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43300&idc=4)

 

Unable to get paid or get out of Venezuela, oil company Harvest Natural Resources announces US$ 194 million loss

The  company is currently experiencing severe liquidity constraints brought about by the failure of the Venezuelan government to approve Harvest’s sale of its Venezuelan asset, the failure to pay dividends and other contractual breaches related to PETRODELTA. It is attempting to raise funds in both the debt and equity markets to fulfill its immediate operating requirements, and consulting with professionals in the area of restructuring and reorganization in the event it is not able to obtain sufficient funding to pay its expenses. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2381447&CategoryId=10717; Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/30/harvest-natural-results-idUSL3N0WW3Y920150330; Bloomberg, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-30/harvest-natural-says-experiencing-severe-liquidity-constraints)

 

An armed group allegedly broke into PDVSA’s facilities at the El Tejero’s Operational Center in Monagas state, trying to cause a crude oil and gas leakage in an attempt to affect the power system generated by gas, says the state oil company in a Sunday press release. According to PDVSA, the event took place in the wee hours of Friday morning and the “terrorist sabotage act” was neutralized by workers. However, no details were provided about the alleged “terrorist group.” (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43317&idc=4; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150330/pdvsa-reports-sabotage-in-its-facilities-in-eastern-monagas-state)

 

 

Economy & Finance

 

Venezuela due to pay out US$ 51 billion in bonds through 2019

Venezuela would have to disburse US$ 52.13 billion through 2019 to pay maturing PDVSA and sovereign bonds, says José Ignacio Guariño, a scholar in the area of finances and securities markets. He indicates that payments due to bondholders during 2015 amount to US$ 10.75 billion, of which PDVSA will have to pay US$ 6.19 billion. The sovereign Eurobond 2015 already matured and US$ 1.13 billion were duly paid. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150328/venezuela-should-pay-usd-51-billion-in-bonds-through-2019)

 

Default judgment against Venezuela in US$ 750 Million Gold Reserve expropriation award

The U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Columbia has entered a default judgment against Venezuela following its failure to file an appearance in a lawsuit brought by Gold Reserve to confirm a US$ 740 million arbitration award dated September 22, 2014. Gold Reserve had filed a petition to confirm the Award by an arbitration tribunal of the World Bank's International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Once such Awards are confirmed, they are enforceable in the United States as if they were a judgment of the court. Since the inception of these proceedings, Venezuela has been willfully avoiding service, refusing, among other things, to authorize its U.S. counsel to accept service. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2381461&CategoryId=10717)

 

Venezuela must pay out around US$ 2,12 billion in ICSID awards - over half its liquid reserves

Over the past six months the World Bank's International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has ruled against Venezuela in five different arbitration cases brought by foreign companies expropriated here, for a total US$ 2.12 billion - over half of the nation's liquid reserves. The nation must pay Canada's mining company Gold Reserve US$ 740.3 million; EXXON Mobil US$ 853 million; Chilean airport operator IDC and their Swiss partner Flughafen Zürich, US$ 33 million; US bottling company Owens Illinois, US$ 455 million; and the Tidewater oil service company, US$ 46.4 million. These payments will further pressure national finances which are already hard hit by the drop in oil prices. More in Spanish: (El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

 

Politics and International Affairs

 

Maduro says “Venezuela is ready” for dialogue with U.S.

President Nicolas Maduro says Venezuela is ready to initiate dialogue with the United States based on mutual respect and equality, and that he is prepared to speak directly with U.S. President Barack Obama on this basis. “Venezuela is ready for a dialogue based on respect and in terms of equality between the States with the government of President Barack Obama wherever, whenever and however he wants, I say this as the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, that we are ready,” he declared. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2381028&CategoryId=10718)

 

Former Brazilian President Cardoso joins Ledezma and Lopez defense team

Former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso has accepted the invitation of former Spanish President Felipe Gonzalez to join the international defense team representing imprisoned Venezuelan opposition leaders Antonio Ledezma and Leopoldo Lopez, according to a statement issued by Lopez’s Popular Will party. Cardoso will accompany Brazilian members of parliament to Caracas where they will assess the situation of the two political prisoners. Cardoso has thus become part of the team that includes Felipe Gonzalez and Canadian MP Irwin Cotler, who served as an international counsel to the late former South African President Nelson Mandela. The team will be responsible for reporting about Lopez and Ledezma’s situation to international authorities, foreign governments, and the press. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2381366&CategoryId=10717; Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43315&idc=1; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150330/brazils-ex-president-voices-solidarity-with-lopez-and-ledezma)

 

Venezuelan dissenter: "We have the best opportunity to produce a change"

Jesús Torrealba, Executive Secretary of the Venezuelan opposition coalition Unified Democratic Conference (MUD) says there is a good possibility for the Venezuelan opposition to win the upcoming parliament election, and adds that there is still work to be done. "We have the best opportunity (...) to produce a change, yet the work is not done yet (...) We have a great opportunity, but we have to turn it into reality," he says. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150330/venezuelan-dissenter-we-have-the-best-opportunity-to-produce-a-change)

 

52 bodies taken to Caracas morgue over the weekend

As many as 52 bodies were taken to Bello Monte morgue in Caracas over the weekend. During March, the morgue has received a total of 466 corpses. According to off-the-record reports from the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigation Police Agency (Cicpc), most of the victims were murdered. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150330/52-bodies-taken-to-caracas-morgue-over-the-weekend)

 

The following brief is a synthesis of the news as reported by a variety of media sources. As such, the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Duarte Vivas & Asociados and The Selinger Group.

March 27, 2015

International Trade

 

Cargo that has arrived at Puerto Cabello

• Over 4,074 tons of beef, milk and coffee from Eskimo S.A., Centrolac S.A., Alba Alimentos Nicaragua, Compañía Hondureña del Café, Productos Lácteos La Perfecta, Ind. Comercial San Martín y Nova Terra for state agencies Café Venezuela y Corporación de Abastecimiento y Servicios Agrícolas (CASA)
• Over 1,134 tons of milk and coffee from Colombia for state agencies Café Venezuela y Corporación de Abastecimiento y Servicios Agrícolas (CASA)
• Shampoo, diapers, wipes and sanitary from Procter & Gamble for its subsidiary in Venezuela.

More in Spanish: (Notitarde; http://produccion.notitarde.com/La-Costa/Llegaron-a-Puerto-Cabello-mas-de-6-mil-toneladas-de-alimentos-2379118/2015/03/25/503145)

 

Selling crude to "Los Imperialistas"

Washington and Caracas have been engaging in tit-for-tat insults and sanctions over recent weeks, but the United States and Venezuela have a commercial relationship that Nicolás Maduro cannot afford to sever. The United States remains Venezuela’s leading supplier of goods by a large margin and the largest export market for its oil. That has led Maduro’s critics to question the president’s current round of Yankee-baiting. “If this government is so anti-imperialist, why do they continue selling oil to the U.S.?” opposition leader and Miranda state Governor Henrique Capriles Radonski. “They have a double discourse.” Venezuela continues to export a little less than 800,000 barrels of crude oil to the United States per day. Last year, the value of those oil exports totaled close to US$ 30.2 billion, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Venezuela’s crude oil, which is heavy in sulfur, coke, and other minerals, can only be processed in a few refineries in the world, most of which are located in the United States. Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Venezuela came to US$ 11.3 billion in 2014 — more than a quarter of the country’s total imports. And Venezuelans import upwards of 70% of what they consume, including agricultural commodities, processed foods, and manufactured goods. So despite the rhetoric, analysts say he is looking for a distraction from his own country’s economic woes. Risa Grais-Targow, an analyst with Eurasia Group, notes that Maduro’s vociferous anti-American stance will have a short shelf-life unless he moves quickly to resolve the country’s problems. (Foreign Policy, http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/03/24/selling-crude-to-los-imeperialistas-maduro-washington/)

 

Government reports it quadrupled toilet paper imports last year

According to the annual report by the Trade Ministry, the CASA state agency imported and distributed 80 million rolls of toilet paper, 320.5% more than it did in 2013. Tooth paste imports rose more than 2000%. More in Spanish: (El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

 

Logistics & Transport

 

Failure to pay shipping lines to affect supplies to the country

Venezuela joined the list of high-risk destinations for major foreign shipping lines serving the country, because the government did not acknowledge the debt of over US$ 800 million it has with these companies and breached agreements established in the contracts. The situation compromises the arrival of imported goods and the supply of shelves. Shippers that have remained provide the service "with great sacrifice," but without notice can take action and suspend the freight. The debt with shipping corresponds to three-year delay in the return of more than 4,000 containers that PDVSA, CASA, AGROPATRIA and other state companies have in their possession. The source alleged that public companies have engaged in misappropriation of assets. "We found converted into offices for Chinese companies containers and when we follow up to determine their origin, we find, for example, that were given to CASA food". The nonpayment of commitment can you get to also generate legal action if unable to reach a commercial agreement, warned: "These international agreements have been established with freight carriers worldwide. The government cannot ignore them or pay what you think and when you want." He warned that part of local expenditures previously billed in bolivars be charged in dollars. "Now 98% of the costs for the landfall of a vessel is charged in dollars. Before it was 30%".  More in Spanish: (El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

Alitalia cuts down to one flight Caracas-Rome

Contrary to previous reports that it was ending all operations here, ALITALIA has clarified that it will operate a single Caracas-Rome flight. More in Spanish: (Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/alitalia-operara-un-solo-vuelo-en-la-ruta-caracas-.aspx#ixzz3VZmGjnow)

 

 

Oil & Energy

 

Venezuela has cut oil exports to Cuba and the Caribbean in half

According to a report by Barclays, Venezuela has cut subsidized oil dispatches to Cuba and PETROCARIBE member countries by half, down to around 200,000 BPD from 400,000 BPD in 2012. Due to these cuts, Barclays has cut its FOREX deficit for Venezuela to US$ 22.6 billion, down from US$ 30 billion it has predicted for 2015. "Cuba has received around 55,000 BPD since September, almost half of what it got in 2012", according to the report. Dispatches to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, which comprise around half of the program, have dropped 56% and 74% respectively, from 2012. These cuts bring down crude shipments to allies to only 80,000 BPD that are not paid for in cash, and this improves the nation's finances by around US$ 7.5 billion, says the report, which adds: "We estimate the government can get financing for US$ 17.5 billion, which means their asset holdings will have to drop by some US$ 6.3 billion to close the gap". More in Spanish: (El Nuevo Herald, http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article16310159.html)

 

Venezuela again seeks to challenge arbitrators in CONOCO dispute

Venezuela is seeking to challenge two arbitrators on a World Bank tribunal hearing in a dispute with U.S. oil giant ConocoPhillips, less than a year after the tribunal rejected a similar request regarding the same arbitrators. The Oil Ministry says it has asked the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) to remove arbitrators Kenneth Keith and Yves Fortier from the three-person panel. Both had shown "a marked attitude against the Republic," the ministry said in a statement. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/26/venezuela-arbitration-conocophillips-idUSL2N0WS2IV20150326)

 

PETROVIETNAM mulls leaving Venezuela joint venture

Vietnam's state oil and gas group PETROVIETNAM is considering selling its 40% stake in a joint venture with Venezuelan counterpart Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), according to two sources close to the exploration project PVN's investment in the Junin 2 venture in Venezuela's heavy-crude Orinoco belt had been initially cost US$ 1.8 billion over five years, making it one of Vietnam's biggest overseas investment projects. But a senior source in PDVSA said the Vietnamese company - long rumored to be unhappy over Venezuela's high inflation and currency controls - was now considering a definitive pullout. Another source close to the PETROMACAREO project confirmed that and also said a Colombian company was interested in buying PETROVIETNAM's stake. That source did not name the Colombian company. The exit of PETROVIETNAM would be a further disappointment for Maduro's government after Malaysian oil company PETRONAS also decided to exit the flagship PETROCARABOBO project in the Orinoco belt in 2013, due to problems in its dealings with Venezuelan authorities and PDVSA. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/25/venezuela-petrovietnam-idUSL2N0WR12C20150325)

 

 

Commodities

 

Industrial inventories at a critical level

Eduardo Garmendia, president of CONINDUSTRIA, the nation's industry federation, reports inventories are at a "critical" level in the entire industrial area, "including pharmaceuticals and food".  More in Spanish: (Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/conindustria-el-volumen-de-inventarios-es-critico-.aspx#ixzz3VZn1qUn1; El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/gremios/conindustria--el-volumen-de-inventarios-es-critico.aspx)

 

Cattle ranchers believe they can increase their production by 7%, between May and October, to supply up to 45% of the domestic demand, says FEDENAGA’s Chief Carlos Albornoz. They claim they could increase the numbers if they are guaranteed profitability. Albornoz emphasized the lack of trust and stimuli to the producer are the main obstacles for them to produce. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43281&idc=3)

 

 

Economy & Finance

 

Economy- outlook worsens   

Venezuela’s economy – already hammered by widespread shortages, declining activity and spiraling inflation – is set to get even worse, experts say. And even if the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, takes the correct measures to fix the falling economy, they will fail because of the government’s lack of credibility, they say. “2015 and 2016 will go down as the worst years in Venezuela's modern history,” says Moisés Naim, a distinguished fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former Venezuelan minister of trade and industry in the early 1990s. "Hunger, crime, strife and widespread human suffering will reach levels not seen before and will disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable groups of society -- children, women, the elderly and the sick.” "Unfortunately, there is no such thing as “bottom” for nations’ economies," argues Gerver Torres, Latin America Specialist at Gallup Consulting and former Minister President of Venezuela’s Investment Fund. “Things can always get worse, and I expect that result in Venezuela,” he says. (Latinvex, http://www.latinvex.com/app/article.aspx?id=1986)

 

Venezuela faces a US$23.7 billion dollar déficit this year and US$15.2 billion in 2016 before counting potentials (…) such as pre-payment of the PETROCARIBE’s debt, securitization of some of the gold reserves and up to US$ 10 billion of Chinese financing, said Credit Suisse on Latin America’s economic outlook. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43275&idc=2; and more in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/banca/credit-suisse--venezuela-enfrenta-un-deficit-de-di.aspx#ixzz3VU7VXXcF)

 

Venezuelan seeks ECLAC support economic plans

Alicia Bárcena, Executive Secretary of the UN's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) met here with Venezuelan officials. After the meeting President Nicolás Maduro said:  "I have asked ECLAC and their executive secretary to support us with all they have so that can Venezuela can revive economic growth." More in Spanish: (Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/cepal-dara-apoyo-a-venezuela-para-consolidar-su-ec.aspx#ixzz3VZmlAjGb; El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/internacional/equipo-de-la-cepal-visitara-al-pais-para-brindar-r.aspx; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150327/cepal-dara-apoyo-al-equipo-economico-del-gobierno; AVN; http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/cepal-apoyar%C3%A1-venezuela-consolidaci%C3%B3n-econom%C3%ADa-productiva)

 

 

Politics and International Affairs

 

Maduro's popularity inches up to 25%

President Nicolas Maduro's popularity inched up to 25% percent in March, according to leading local pollster DATANALISIS, after the United States declared Venezuela a security threat and ordered sanctions against seven officials. The measures from Washington provided an unlikely helping hand to the socialist leader at one of the worst moments for the ruling "chavismo" movement. "In the last four surveys, Maduro's popularity has been stable, it hasn't fallen further," DATANALISIS added. The firm also said the scarcity index, a measure of shortages of staple goods, hit 57% in Caracas this month. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/24/us-venezuela-maduro-idUSKBN0MK2B420150324)

 

Prosecutor General says social media must be regulated, disqualifies Amnesty International

Prosecutor General Luisa Ortega Díaz has said social media must be regulated to avoid negative rumors. She also called a recent report on human rights violations here unethical and slanted. More in Spanish: El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

...and says she is investigating Venezuelan accounts abroad

Prosecutor General Luisa Ortega Díaz announced she is asking - through the Foreign Ministry - for information on Venezuelans holding accounts in foreign banks. More in Spanish: (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150325/fiscalia-investiga-cuentas-de-venezolanos-en-el-exterior; El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

Regime claims to have collected three million anti-Obama signatures, foes denounce coercion

The government claims it has collected over three million signatures asking U.S. President Barack Obama to repeal measures declaring this country a security threat. Public squares around the nation have become centers for a nationalist petition drive by the ruling Socialist Party. PROVEA, a local NGO, has already received several complaints about public employees being required to sign, backed by the threat of being sanctioned in case they refuse to do so. These are signs that the campaign being carried out by the Venezuelan government throughout the public media system is not having the desired effect. A significant percentage of Venezuelans does not buy the story that the "gringos" will be invading the country any time soon. In a communiqué, Venezuelan opposition umbrella group Unified Democratic Panel (MUD) rejected the fact that the Venezuelan government, through its embassies and consular offices, is inviting Venezuelan residents abroad to sign the petition. Servando Carbone, national coordinator for Unete, adds that "National Guard, Army and Navy commandos ordered batallions to sign and are pressuring workers at the Ministry of Defense to sign". Prisoners have also been bused to sign. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/25/us-venezuela-usa-idUSKBN0ML2GX20150325; Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2380990&CategoryId=10717; El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150325/mud-rejects-call-for-venezuelans-abroad-to-sign-letter-against-us-decr; and more in Spanish: El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

Ceballos remains incarcerated despite court order

Judge Shirley Páez ordered the release of former San Cristóbal’s Mayor Daniel Ceballos after he served the 12 month sentence imposed by the Venezuelan Supreme Court for failing to comply with one of its rulings. However, Ceballos was not released from prison as he is on trial in another court on charges of rebellion. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43282&idc=1)

 

Colombian FM expects Red Cross to visit political prisoners in Venezuela

Colombian Foreign Minister María Angela Holguín says Member States of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) expect the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be allowed to visit political prisoners in Venezuela. "We expect the ICRC (...) to visit (political) prisoners in Venezuela," Holguín stressed without specifying any date, AFP quoted. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150326/colombian-fm-expects-red-cross-to-visit-political-prisoners-in-venezue)

 

Costa Rica has removed Ambassador to Venezuela

Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís has removed his Ambassador to Venezuela Federico Picado, after the diplomat expressed opinions about the internal political affairs of this nation. Solís had said his government did not endorse Picado's statements in support of the government of President Maduro. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150326/costa-rica-removes-ambassador-to-venezuela)

 

Spain rules out possibility that González harms relations with Venezuela

The Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Ibero-America, Jesús Gracia, ruled out the possibility that the initiative of former Spanish president Felipe González to defend Venezuelan detained opposition leaders Leopoldo López and Antonio Ledezma might harm Spain's relations with Venezuela. Gracia stressed that González made clear from the beginning that his initiative of defending Venezuelan dissenters was private, with a goal to promote understanding in Venezuela, and therefore bilateral relations would not be damaged in any way, Efe reported. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150326/spain-rules-out-possibility-that-gonzalez-harms-relations-with-venezue)

 

Russian FM: "Venezuelans must solve problems without foreign meddling"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Venezuela is able to resolve its problems without foreign meddling: "We are convinced that Venezuelans must solve their problems on their own, without foreign interventions, sanctions or threats". (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150325/russian-fm-venezuelans-must-solve-problems-without-foreign-meddling)

 

 

The following brief is a synthesis of the news as reported by a variety of media sources. As such, the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Duarte Vivas & Asociados and The Selinger Group.

March 24, 2015

International Trade

 

Puerto Cabello Terminal serviced 17.3% fewer ships during 2014

Puerto Cabello's maritime terminal received 236 fewer ships during 2014, a drop of 17.3%, according to the annual report by the Ministry of Aquatic and Air Transport. The terminal received 1,364 vessels during 2013 and only 1,128 in 2014, The port at La Guaira increased service by 9.5% and serviced 692 ships. Overall service by Venezuela's port authority (BOLIPUERTOS) dropped by 1%, down from 14.221 million MT in 2013 to 13.295 million in 2014. The report says "changes in national FOREX policies hurt the purchase of consumer goods and services, leading to a drop in ships arriving and lower movement of cargo received and stored." More in Spanish: (Notitarde; http://www.notitarde.com/La-Costa/Puerto-de-Puerto-Cabello-recibio-173-menos-buques-durante-2014/2015/03/23/502669/)

 

Cargo that has arrived at Puerto Cabello

• Over 1,325 tons of grapes, pears and apples from Chile for state owned Banco Industrial and ACCA Alimentos
• Over 1,227 tons of beef and milk in 40 containers from Argentina
• Over 200 tons of beef from Argentina for state agency Banco del Tesoro

More in Spanish: (Notitarde; http://www.notitarde.com/La-Costa/Llegaron-mas-de-mil-700-toneladas-de-alimentos-2374328/2015/03/18/500673/)

 

 

Logistics & Transport

 

ALITALIA cancels Venezuela service

ALITALIA's executive director Silvano Cassano has announced they will cancel the Caracas-Rome route - the Venezuelan government still owes them US$ 177.5 million. More in Spanish: (El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

 

Oil & Energy

 

Petroleum Minister Chávez says Venezuela is prepared to end US oil exports

Asdrúbal Chávez, Minister for Petroleum and Mining, says Venezuela is prepared to face a scenario in which the US decides to stop oil imports from this country. He added that US officials have said energy is not included in President Obama's recent executive order, "but we do not believe that." More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/petroleo/pdvsa/ministro-chavez--venezuela-esta-preparada-para-el.aspx#ixzz3Uv0t7fRZ; Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/chavez-venezuela-esta-preparada-si-eeuu-decide-no-.aspx)

 

Venezuela oil price tumbles further, OPEC and Saudi Arabia estimate low prices will continue

Venezuela's weekly oil basket fell significantly for the second consecutive week as oil prices around the world fell as historically high levels of oil storage evidenced significantly oversupplied markets. According to figures released by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum here, the average price of Venezuelan crude sold by Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) during the week ending March 20 was US$ 43.72, down US$ 4.19 from the previous week's US$ 47.91. Both OPEC and Saudi Arabia's governor for OPEC, Mohammed al-Madi, are estimating low prices will continue. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2380176&CategoryId=10717; Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43205&idc=4; and more in Spanish: El Universal; http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150323/opep-seguiran-los-bajos-precios-en-mercado-mundial; http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150323/que-esta-pasando; El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/petroleo/industria/arabia-saudita-duda-del-retorno-de-los-precios-alt.aspx#ixzz3VChKhzgG)

 

PDVSA’s crude oil production dropped 4% from 2.89 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2013 to 2.77 million bpd, according to the Venezuelan Oil and Mining Ministry’s annual report. The drop would be due to the low performance of the wells of light crude oil, according to the Ministry, exactly the kind of crude oil that is easier to market and transport. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43204&idc=4)

 

Power rationing could return in April if it does not rain in the next few days, warns Caracas, Vargas and Miranda Power Federation Secretary Elio Palacios. He explained the levels at the Guri Dam had been dropping significantly. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43220&idc=3)

 

 

Commodities

 

Lack of supplies paralyzes local industries, now operating under 50% capacity

Ismael Pérez Vigil, Executive President of the National Industrial Council (CONINDUSTRIA) says local industry is operating at under 50% capacity due to the lack of supplies. He denied companies are waging "economic warfare" and said they are operating at maximum but have no FOREX to acquire needed supplies. More in Spanish: (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/150323/falta-de-materia-prima-paraliza-a-industriales)

 

State owned VENALUM operated at 25% capacity during 2014, according to the annual report by the Ministry for Industries. More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/industrias/venalum-opero-a-25--de-su-capacidad-instalada-dura.aspx#ixzz3VCgFp069)

 

Cement scarcity causes 80% paralysis of all construction projects nationwide

Orlando Chirinos, national coordinator for the National Cement Workers Alliance (ANTRACEM), reports that 80% of all construction projects nationwide are paralyzed due to scare materials and unemployment is rampant. "Venezuela produces 9 million MT of cement nationwide and today we have only 50% of capacity. More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/gremios/sindicato-del-cemento-denuncia-paralizacion-de-80-.aspx#ixzz3VCgmWQNY)

 

Auto parts scarcity nears 75% nationwide, according to José Cinnirella, President of the Auto Parts Dealers Association (CANIDRA), because they have not received FOREX for imports since October 2014. More in Spanish: (Noticias24; http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/278499/canidra-asegura-que-el-sector-autopartes-tiene-una-escasez-que-esta-cerca-de-75/)

 

Packaging materials industry inventories can only hold out to May

José González, president of the Venezuelan Packaging Industry Chamber (CAVENVASE) reports the packing industry here has inventories only through May due to the slow delivery of FOREX for importing supplies, spare parts and machinery. (Veneconomy, http://www.veneconomy.com/site/index.asp?ids=44&idt=43211&idc=3; and more in Spanish: El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/industrias/aseguran-que-industrias-de-envases-tienen-inventar.aspx#ixzz3VCfg3Y3U)

 

 

Economy & Finance

 

BARCLAY's sees 188% hyperinflation in Venezuela, Jefferies says 34% import cut needed

A report by BARCLAY's Capital says economic problems here have increased one month after the SIMADI exchange system went into effect, the bolivar has further weakened and there are practically "no dollars in the system". It indicates the new system is feeding inflation by depreciating the exchange rate.  "This situation increases economic risk of hyperinflation and a deep contraction...we expect 188% inflation in 2015". In a separate report, Jefferies says imports need to be cut by 34% - US$ 25 billion - this year in order to balance fiscal accounts. More in Spanish: (El Nacional; http://www.el-nacional.com/)

 

China may lend Venezuela US$ 10 billion in coming months

China could lend Venezuela around US$10 billion in coming months, half as part of a bilateral financing deal and the other half for the development of oil fields, according to a senior official at state oil company PDVSA. The first US$ 5 billion loan, a renewal of the long-standing Joint Chinese-Venezuelan Fund, will be destined for wide-ranging projects. With a five-year payment term instead of the usual three, the loan could be signed this month and deposited in Venezuela's international reserves in April. The other "special" US$ 5 billion loan will likely stipulate hiring Chinese companies to boost production in PDVSA's mature oil fields, and could be signed in June by Venezuelan state development bank BANDES for investing in 2015. China has already loaned Venezuela over U$ 45 billion in return for repayment in oil and fuel. (Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/19/venezuela-china-idUSL2N0WL1OZ20150319)

 

Payments for expropriations up to US$ 12.998 billion, around US$ 12.547 still due

The Venezuelan government has paid out US$ 12.998 billion for expropriations since 2007. The includes the CANTV telephone company, Electricidad de Caracas, SIDOR, Banco de Venezuela, STATOIL, TOTAL, CHEVRON, Lácteos Los Andes, Cerámicas Carabobo and the HOLCIM, LAFARGE and CEMEX cement companies, among others. In addition, there are the indemnizations the government has had to pay in arbitrations at ICSID. According to ECOANALÍTICA, the total cost of expropriations is around US$ 25.555 billion, which means US$ 12.547 billion remain due depending on amounts finally decided by ICSID in cases still under review. More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/politicas-publicas/pago-por-nacionalizaciones-asciende-a--12-998-mill.aspx#ixzz3Uuz5xqsA)

 

SIMADI FOREX rate climbs up to VEB 190.38/US$1
Venezuela's Central Bank reports the SIMADI official FOREX rate has climbed to VEB 190.38/US$1, its highest level to date. More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/mercados/dolar-simadi-sube-y-se-cotiza-a-bs--190-38---grafi.aspx#ixzz3VIL48WZs; Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/dolar-simadi-sube-y-se-cotiza-a-bs-190-38.aspx)

 

Executive Vice President says "neoliberal" economic rules "do not apply in Venezuela"

Executive Vice President Jorge Arreaza says there are "neoliberal" rules of the economy that "do not apply in Venezuela's case", including the relationship between liquidity and inflation in Venezuela since 1940. More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/politicas-publicas/arreaza--hay-leyes-economicas--que-no-aplican-en-v.aspx#ixzz3VIJmYi66; Ultimas Noticias, http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/gobierno-analiza-nueva-propuestas-economicas-segun.aspx; AVN; http://www.avn.info.ve/contenido/ejecutivo-y-comandos-populares-afinan-estrategias-para-impulsar-capacidad-productiva-del-p)

 

 

Politics and International Affairs

 

China steers clear of Venezuela-US dispute

Two days after the Obama Administration declared Venezuela a national security threat, China’s Foreign Ministry publicly reinstated its unwillingness to be dragged into the US-Venezuela disputes. In spite of intensifying economic ties between the two countries, China is determined to keep business as business, without making explicit political alliances in Latin America as its first government did in the 1950s and 60s. With a persistent attitude toward its foreign policy rhetoric of non-interference and respect for sovereignty, China has vowed to keep itself out of Latin America’s regional and bilateral disputes. (Latin Trade, http://latintrade.com/china-steers-clear-of-venezuela-us-dispute/)

 

Opposition, media and Catholic church under surveillance here with Cuban cooperation

According to the official report for 2014 by the Presidential office, the National Defense Council (SECODENA) spent most of 2014 writing reports for President Maduro on the Catholic church, media, the opposition, crime and the "economic crisis". The report - presented to the National Assembly by Executive Vice President Jorge Arreaza - lists "profiling Venezuela's Catholic Church, profiling Venezuelan opposition with a focus on ideological confrontation of capitalism vs. socialism with the US and its allied nations", as one of its accomplishments. It reports detecting 15,998 media economic reports unfavorable to government action. It also cooperates Cuban cooperation in technology for "monitoring and analyzing information" at "16 situation centers". During 2015 SECODENA plans to "analyze ideological socialism vs. capitalism confrontation, media warfare, Internet and social media", among others. More in Spanish: (El Nacional, http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Iglesia-oposicion-ocuparon-Consejo-Defensa_0_596940471.html)

 

Spain supports Felipe González personal efforts on behalf of Leopoldo López, Antonio Ledezma

Spain´s Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo has expressed support for the efforts of former Spanish President Felipe González on behalf of jailed Venezuelan opposition leaders Leopoldo López y Antonio Ledezma.  García Margallo said he had thanked González for informing the Spanish government of his personal initiative and added "I believe that is doing things right and wished him luck in that noble task". González has agreed to defend the dissenters because of the worsening situation of human rights in Venezuela and the lack of legal rights of the defendants, who are imprisoned at Ramo Verde military jail, in the outskirts of Caracas. (El Universal, http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150323/felipe-gonzalez-to-defend-leopoldo-lopez-antonio-ledezma; http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/150323/spanish-fm-wishes-felipe-gonzalez-good-luck-defending-dissenters; and more in Spanish: El País, http://politica.elpais.com/politica/2015/03/23/actualidad/1427112645_130675.html)

 

Over 25 media have changed hands and editorial policies here over the past 5 years

According to a study of the Press and Society Institute (IPYS) over 25 media have changed owners in Venezuela over the past 5 years. The study reports that - after selling out - editorial policies were changed to incorporate more official information, eliminate investigations and criticism, and incorporate "trivial" content. The sales were preceded by legal procedures that ended after ownership and editorial policies changed. It also indicates there is a direct relationship between the new owners and "political players linked to the national or local chavista government". More in Spanish: (Infolatam, http://www.infolatam.com/2015/03/21/mas-de-25-medios-cambiaron-de-dueno-en-venezuela-en-cinco-anos-segun-el-ipys/)

 

Government promotes militias in all state enterprises

Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino says the government is promoting the creation of "combat forces" in state enterprises in order to meet an eventual attack by the US. More in Spanish: (El Mundo, http://www.elmundo.com.ve/noticias/economia/politica/gobierno-impulsa-creacion-de-milicias-en-todas-las.aspx#ixzz3VCgUNwkJ

 

Eastern Caribbean States Worried about U.S.-Venezuela Tensions

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, or OECS, has expressed concern over increasing tension between the United States and Venezuela. “The OECS is deeply concerned that statements and actions in the recent past concerning the relations between the United States and Venezuela have served only to heighten tensions in the relations between those countries, and to undermine the peace and security of the region and the hemisphere as a whole,” the group said in a statement. (Latin American Herald Tribune, http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2380154&CategoryId=10717)

 

 

The following brief is a synthesis of the news as reported by a variety of media sources. As such, the views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Duarte Vivas & Asociados and The Selinger Group.