Venezuelan Daily Brief

Published in association with The DVA Group and The Selinger Group, the Venezuelan Daily Brief provides bi-weekly summaries of key news items affecting bulk commodities and the general business environment in Venezuela.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

January 21, 2020


International Trade

US$ 260 million reported in alcoholic beverage exports from Venezuela

Luis Enrique Cardenas, President of the Venezuelan Alcoholic Industry Chamber (CIVEA) reports that close to US$ 260 in alcoholic beverages were exported from Venezuela by the private sector during 2019, particularly to the European Union. (El Universal; https://www.eluniversal.com/economia/59929/exportan-260-millones-en-bebidas-alcoholicas)

 

Oil & Energy

U.S. extends CHEVRON Venezuela sanction waiver

The United States Treasury Department granted CHEVRON another three-month sanction waiver to continue operating in Venezuela, with the expiry date of this latest extension set for April 22. The Treasury Department has been granting Chevron three-month extensions of its sanction waiver for a while now, with the one it announced last October reportedly being a topic of heated discussion in the Trump administration in light of Washington’s attempts to stifle all oil revenues going into the coffers of the Maduro government. Some, however, notably Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, argued that the presence of a U.S. company in Venezuela would help to quicken the recovery of its oil industry when—and if—the government changes. Reuters noted that CHEVRON reported losses of US$ 104 million related to its business in Venezuela for the first nine months of the year. Yet if the Treasury Department stops granting it sanction waivers, Chevron would have to leave the country, which would cost it US$ 2.7 billion in assets. Besides CHEVRON, four oilfield services companies have been granted sanction waivers to continue doing business in Venezuela. However, SCHLUMBERGER, BAKER HUGHES, HALLIBURTON and WEATHERFORD have wound down their operations there to virtually nothing. (Oil Price: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/US-Extends-Chevron-Venezuela-Sanction-Waiver.html; The Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/American-energy-companies-to-remain-in-Venezuela-14990649.php; Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-chevron/u-s-grants-chevron-another-three-months-for-venezuela-operations-idUSKBN1ZH0DH)

 

Oil buyers steer clear of Venezuela over Petro payments

Buyers of Venezuelan crude oil have stopped dealing with this nation after officials started demanding payment of port fees in the country’s controversial Petro cryptocurrency. Sources told media outlet World Oil that exports of at least a million barrels of oil were put on hold after the government announced the fees must be paid in Petro tokens. Buyers were reportedly worried that paying in Petro may violate US sanctions. (Coin Rivet: https://coinrivet.com/es/oil-buyers-steer-clear-of-venezuela-over-petro-payments/)

 

Economy & Finance

Venezuela Petro dumped at a 50% discount at LocalBitcoins

Venezuelans are dumping the government-issued Petro, a crypto coin backed by a barrel of Oil, for half its value (US$ 30) at peer-to-peer exchanges like LocalBitcoins. The situation has worsened over the past few weeks as the government has scrambled to tame the USD/Bolivars rate but shutting down avenues for liquidation. At the time of writing, 50k Bolivars equals to $1 while 1 Petro (PRT) is pegged at US$ 60. The Maduro-led regime asserts that each coin is more than a medium of value but a crypto asset, like Bitcoin, in an economy stricken by economic turmoil and world’s leading hyperinflation. According to sources in Venezuela, the government airdropped 0.5 Petro to government workers and pensioners claiming that their effort reached 6 million people. As a crypto asset, the objective of the government was to probably avail a shield for its citizens. However, it soon emerged that people used the same airdropped Petro to buy ordinary stuff through Point-of-Sale and government-supported Petro Wallets. Both avenues were shut, paving the way for people to liquidate at peer-to-peer exchanges. At LocalBitcoins, the value of each Petro was consequently priced at US$ 30, 50% of what the government had set. (Coin Gape: https://coingape.com/venezuela-petro-dumped-at-a-50-discount-in-localbitcoins/)

 

Maduro opens international crypto casino

Nicolas Maduro has authorized the opening of an international casino at a luxury hotel in Caracas where bets must be placed in Petros, the country’s national oil-backed digital currency. Several cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies can be exchanged into Petros to wager in the casino. Maduro announced Friday that he has authorized the opening of a casino at the Humboldt Hotel in Caracas where bets must be placed in Petros. The hotel, located on the peak of El Avila hill, was reopened in 2018. Gamblers must acquire PTR to participate. Following Friday’s casino announcement, the media started reporting that Venezuela may be warming up to casinos again. The Humboldt Hotel’s casino is expected to begin operations in the coming months, but Maduro did not reveal whether he plans to open more casinos. (Bitcoin: https://news.bitcoin.com/maduro-opens-crypto-casino-venezuela/)

 

Politics and International Affairs

Pompeo vows US support as he meets Venezuela's Guaidó in Colombia

Venezuela's acting President Juan Guaidó has met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Colombia's capital, as he tries to shore up international support amid a power struggle with Nicolas Maduro.

  • Venezuela is a "failed state", Pompeo said on Monday, after meeting Guaidó on the sidelines of a three-day counterterrorism ministerial meeting in Bogota. "I would fully expect there will be further action that the US would take to continue to support President Guaidó and the Venezuelan people," Pompeo told journalists. "We do not talk about particular sanctions, but everyone can fully expect that the US is not done," Pompeo warned, without specifying what action Washington will take.
  • I’ve heard this idea that we’ve underestimated Maduro. What’s been underestimated is the desire for freedom that rests in the hearts of the Venezuelan people,” he said. “We are collectively — the Europeans, the other countries in South America, the United States are determined to deliver that outcome for the people of Venezuela.”
  • "The world must continue to support the Venezuelan people's effort to restore their democracy and put an end to Maduro's tyranny which harms millions of Venezuelans and has an impact on Colombia and indeed on the entire region", he added. "I want you to know that your president is a great leader who wants to take your country in the right direction — the direction of freedom, democracy, to restore economic prosperity," Pompeo said in remarks directed at the Venezuelan people.
  • From Colombia, Guaidó is set to travel on to London, Brussels and Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum.  Guaidó would not confirm whether he will meet US President Donald Trump in Davos.
  • Separately, Colombia and the US accused Maduro of harboring armed groups such as Colombia's Marxist-led National Liberation Army rebels and of having connections to everyone from drug traffickers to Lebanon's HEZBOLLAH movement. “After today’s event I think the world has it very clear that there is a dictatorship that finances terrorism,” Guaidó said.
  • Pompeo blasted Maduro as an ally to terrorist groups that in contrast to other nations in Latin America is providing “a home” to Hezbollah. “This is unacceptable,” he said."[Maduro is] now running an operation that looks more like a cartel than anything else that one could describe. This isn't good for Venezuela, it's not good for the countries that are around Venezuela," Pompeo said.
  • Pompeo kicked off the counter-terrorism conference at the General Santander Police Academy in Bogota – where 22 cadets were killed in a bombing last year – by decrying Maduro as an ally to terrorist groups including the National Liberation Army, the Colombian rebel group authorities say plotted the attack. “These groups must lay down their arms and the Maduro regime must be held to account for its support of them,” Pompeo said.
  • The statements could open the possibility of the US including Venezuela in the list of states that support or finance terrorism.
  • Maduro allies including Diosdado Cabello, head of the powerful National Constitutional Assembly, brushed off Guaidó’s international tour, dismissing the Bogota event as “a conference of terrorists.” “It doesn’t occupy any of our time, because in truth, it’s insignificant,” Cabello said.
  • Guaidó told reporters the fight for democracy "finds alternatives, different pathways, and reinforced mechanisms." He said getting rid of Maduro is a "long-term strategy." "The dictators won't want to give up the power they've taken. ... We're much more like Syria than like Cuba ... in terms of migration, access to services, the inflation. There are no vaccines for our children. They are dying because of lack of food," Guaidó said.
(Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/pompeo-vows-support-meets-venezuela-Guaidó-colombia-200121061021165.html; The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pompeo-meets-venezuelas-juan-Guaidó-vows-continued-u-s-support-11579565437; BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51169801; VOA News: https://www.voanews.com/americas/pompeo-promises-more-action-boost-venezuelas-Guaidó; Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-20/Guaidó-meets-foreign-backers-of-bid-to-oust-venezuela-s-maduro; AP: https://apnews.com/14d31109b0c60cb574a44d3ad8cd0fde; (PBS: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/Guaidó-meets-pompeo-condemns-venezuela-for-links-to-terrorism)

 

Colombia rolls out the red carpet for Guaidó

 We are honored by your presence,” Colombian President Iván Duque told Guaidó during opening remarks in a stately reception. “You will always have a friend in Colombia.” Venezuela’s pro-Maduro Supreme Court has barred Guaidó from leaving the nation it’s unknown whether authorities will let him back again this time. “That risk always exists in Venezuela,” Guaidó said to a bevy of journalists as he headed into a meeting with Pompeo. Duque shot back at critics who have questioned Guaidó’s strength Monday, characterizing his efforts as “brave” in facing off against Maduro. “Maybe many speculate, ‘Why hasn’t Guaidó put an end to the dictatorship?’” Duque said. “This can’t be a discussion about individual capabilities. We know your bravery and that confronting a dictatorship with no limits is a task that goes beyond heroism.” (PBS: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/Guaidó-meets-pompeo-condemns-venezuela-for-links-to-terrorism

 

Guaidó to meet top EU diplomat in Brussels

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó, recognized as Venezuela's president by more than 50 countries including the United States and most European Union members, will come to Brussels on Wednesday to hold talks with the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Borrell told a news conference. (The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/01/20/world/americas/20reuters-venezuela-politics-eu.html; Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-eu/venezuelas-Guaidó-to-meet-top-eu-diplomat-in-brussels-idUSKBN1ZJ1RX)

 

Guaidó to attend Davos forum

Venezuela’s opposition leader and acting president, Juan Guaidó will attend this week’s World Economic Forum in DAVOS, lawmaker Stalin Gonzalez told AFP on Monday. Guaidó is currently in Colombia, but Gonzalez, a Guaidó ally, said the National Assembly speaker will then head to Switzerland for the annual economic meeting that opens on Tuesday. Despite being banned from leaving the country by the regime of Nicolas Maduro, Guaidó surfaced in Bogota on Sunday, where Colombian President Ivan Duque welcomed him with full presidential honors. (The Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/01/21/business/venezuela-opposition-leader-juan-Guaidó-attend-davos-forum/#.XibkAMhKi8U)

 

European Parliament reaffirms support for Juan Guaidó, condemns Maduro coup attempt

The European Parliament has condemned the recent attempted coup to prevent Juan Guaidó from being re-elected President of the Venezuelan National Assembly. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, the European Parliament strongly condemns the attempt by Nicolas Maduro’s regime to install pro-government candidate Luis Parra as new Chairman of the Venezuelan National Assembly on 5 January of this year. In the resolution, the European Parliament reaffirms their support for Juan Guaidó as the legitimate President of the National Assembly and interim President of Venezuela. MEPs deplore the recent grave violations, which are incompatible with legitimate election processes. The National Assembly of Venezuela is the only legitimately elected democratic body in the country, and its powers need to be respected, says the text. The European Parliament also recalls that the EU stands ready to support a genuine process towards a peaceful and democratic solution to the Venezuelan political crisis. The resolution calls on EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell to step up the European Union’s response to restore democracy in the country, including through targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations, but also by extending these sanctions to their family members. The text was adopted by 471 votes to 101, with 103 abstentions. (European Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20200110IPR70010/venezuelan-crisis-meps-reaffirm-their-support-for-juan-Guaidó)

 

Guatemala's new president cuts ties with Venezuela, as promised

Guatemala’s new President Alejandro Giammattei cut diplomatic ties with the regime of Nicolas Maduro on Thursday and ordered the closure of its embassy in Caracas. The conservative Giammattei, who took office on Tuesday, had already indicated he would cut ties upon assuming power. Maduro’s foreign minister Jorge Rodriguez, in a response on Twitter, accused Giammattei of bowing down to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-guatemala-politics-venezuela/guatemalas-new-president-cuts-ties-with-venezuela-as-promised-idUSKBN1ZF2SB)

 

Maduro says he’s still in control of Venezuela, ready for direct talks with the United States

Nicolás Maduro cast himself as the wily survivor of a dramatic, year-long struggle by the opposition at home and its allies in Washington to unseat him and said it’s now time for direct negotiations with the United States to end the political stalemate.

  • He suggested a bonanza could be waiting for U.S. oil companies in this country should President Trump lift sanctions and press the reset button on U.S.-Venezuelan relations.
  • Yet if anything, his words revealed the vast gulf that still exists between his authoritarian government and the opposition and U.S. officials who call him a dictator. His positions on key issues suggested no quick fix to the brutal humanitarian crisis that has led millions to flee poverty and hunger in this troubled socialist state.  Speaking in the ornate Miraflores presidential palace, Maduro did not display such willingness.
  • He called any new presidential vote still years away. He also denied the assertions of U.S. and European diplomats and opposition negotiators that his government offered the opposition a deal including new presidential elections during talks brokered by Norway last year before they collapsed in the fall. He doubled down on his pledge to hold legislative elections this year — a vote his opponents insist he would use as a tool to further consolidate power. Maduro said he remained willing to sit down with Guaidó — but he seemed to dismiss the opposition’s key demand: that he exit in favor of a transitional government that would renovate the Supreme Court and national election councils to call new elections.
  • Maduro seemed to dismiss his growing international isolation. “Do you want me to tell you the truth?” he asked, leaning in. “I don’t care even a little bit about what Europe does, or about what the U.S. does. We do not care at all. We only care about what we do … No matter how many thousand sanctions, they won’t stop us, or Venezuela.”
  • Maduro repeatedly asserted his view that Trump had been misled by his policymakers, and he seemed baffled that Trump had courted North Korea’s Kim Jong Un but not him. “I believe Mike Pompeo has failed in Venezuela and is responsible for Donald Trump’s failure in his policy toward our country,” Maduro said. “I think Pompeo lives in a fantasy. He’s not a man with his feet on earth. I think Trump has had terrible advisers on Venezuela. John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, Elliott Abrams have caused him to have a wrong vision.”

U.S. officials have been considering more provocative steps to oust Maduro, including a naval blockade of Venezuelan oil destined for Cuba. Maduro said such a step would be “illegal,” but stopped short of calling it an act of war. Still, Maduro said significant changes could be in the offing if Washington opened a direct channel with him. (The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/maduro-says-hes-still-in-control-of-venezuela-ready-for-direct-talks-with-the-united-states/2020/01/18/7f609a6e-38a7-11ea-a1ff-c48c1d59a4a1_story.html)

 

Maduro’s foreign minister in Iran, starts 3-day visit

The Maduro regime’s foreign minister Jorge Arreaza began a three-day visit to Iran and was received by his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, Venezuela's foreign ministry reported on its @CancilleriaVE Twitter account on 20 January. The Venezuelan ministry posted photos of Arreaza and Zarif shaking hands and embracing, with the words: "To start the work agenda that will be developed in Tehran, the foreign minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javad Zarif @JZarif receives the [Venezuelan] foreign minister Jorge Arreaza @jaarreaza to have a bilateral meeting". (BN Americas: https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/venezuela-foreign-minister-in-iran-starts-3-day-visit)

 

Maduro calls for Cuban ambassador to gain access to Venezuelan ministries

Nicolas Maduro said on state television that the Cuban ambassador to Caracas should have access to all the country's ministries in order to coordinate efforts. “For the Cuban ambassador, the doors of all ministries should be open for coordination,” TASS quoted Maduro as saying. He also added that Cuba could “count on Venezuela in everything.” (Teller Report: http://www.tellerreport.com/news/2020-01-21---maduro-calls-for-cuban-ambassador-to-gain-access-to-venezuelan-ministries-.ByKaINAQWI.html)

 

Colombia’s leading opposition senator to sue Guaidó

One of Colombia’s leading opposition figures said he would file criminal charges against Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó for claiming he was “financed through Venezuelan corruption money.” During a surprise visit to Colombia, Guaidó additionally called Senator Gustavo Petro an “accomplice” of Nicolas Maduro. Petro responded that “I am neither an accomplice of dictators nor an accomplice of “Los Rastrojos,” a Colombian drug trafficking organization that allegedly helped Guaidó cross the border last year. (Colombia Reports: https://colombiareports.com/venezuelas-opposition-chief-calls-colombias-leading-opposition-senator-accomplice-of-maduro/)

 

Venezuela attorney added to ICE Most Wanted list

Venezuelan attorney and businessman, Raul Antonio De La Santisima Trinidad Gorrin Belisario, has been added to the US ICE Most Wanted list for conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and several counts of money laundering. The action follows an indictment filed August 16, 2017, in the Southern District of Florida, Gorrin’s subsequent escape from justice, and the updated FinCEN advisory of May 3, 2019, regarding widespread public corruption in Venezuela. The indictment alleges that Gorrin, 50, a Venezuelan citizen with a residence in Miami, Florida, paid millions of dollars in bribes to two high-level Venezuelan officials to secure the rights to conduct foreign currency exchange transactions at favorable rates for the Venezuelan government. Gorrin was last seen in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently remains at-large. ICE warns the public to not attempt apprehending the subject. If you have information about the whereabouts of this fugitive, immediately contact your local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office or call the national hotline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE as soon as possible. (News Americas Now: https://www.newsamericasnow.com/latin-america-news-venezuela-news-usice-wanted/)

 

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.

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