Brazilian business delegation visits Venezuela post-Maduro capture to explore investment

Caracas, Venezuela – A delegation of Brazilian business executives is visiting Venezuela, marking the first official mission of its kind since the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States five months ago. The group of at least 30 executives seeks to understand the current political and economic climate in Venezuela and explore opportunities for establishing Brazilian companies in the country.

The visit is being conducted in partnership with the Brazilian embassy in Venezuela. The delegation includes representatives from prominent companies such as Embraer, JBS, and Anfavea, as well as entities representing exporters of meat and fruits. Paulo Buzanelli, CEO of Alvorada Heavy Industries, a petroleum company with operations in Venezuela since 2023, is leading the delegation.

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Before, they called me crazy. Now, they say I'm a visionary. Today, the scenario is much more favorable, a great opportunity for Brazilian entrepreneurs. These are countries with similar cultures and mutual interests.

Buzanelli expressed optimism about the current scenario, stating, "Before, they called me crazy. Now, they say I'm a visionary. Today, the scenario is much more favorable, a great opportunity for Brazilian entrepreneurs. These are countries with similar cultures and mutual interests." He noted that the stricter restrictions previously imposed by Donald Trump are being eased, and highlighted the long-standing good relationship between Brazil and Venezuela.

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But the mission will show the opportunities we have.

The initiative aims to encourage Brazilian entrepreneurs to strengthen commercial ties with Venezuela during its reconstruction phase, before other countries establish a stronger presence. Buzanelli acknowledged that the number of ventures is still limited, citing lingering uncertainties that deter more cautious investors. "But the mission will show the opportunities we have," he added.

In addition to this business mission, Buzanelli is organizing a political delegation for July. This group will include parliamentarians from the Chamber of Deputies' Foreign Relations and Mines and Energy committees. Their objective is to foster bilateral meetings with Venezuelan authorities to discuss bilateral trade, energy integration, and regional cooperation in the Amazon. Buzanelli sees potential for rapprochement in various areas, noting that Brazil imports gas from Qatar while it could source it from Venezuela via road transport for its thermoelectric plants.

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We can have an approximation in various senses. Brazil imports gas from Qatar, for example, when it can bring it from Venezuela by road. The gas is used today to operate the thermoelectric plants here in Brazil.