The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

VenezuelaSouth America
-8:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country

General Information

National Identity
Official Language(s)Spanish; 25 Indigenous languages
National CurrencyVenezuelan Bolivar (VES)
National Day(s)5 July (Independence Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalCaracas
Economic CapitalCaracas
Cultural CapitalCaracas
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 18 – 22 h Connecting flights
Primary AirportSimon Bolivar International Airport (CCS)
Primary PortPort of La Guaira
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the CoastlineAbout 2,800 km
Highest PointPico Bolivar (4,978 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverOrinoco River (third-longest river in South America) Lake Maracaibo (South America’s largest lake)
ClimateTropical; varies from humid lowlands to temperate highlands and Andean cold zones

Border Countries

BrazilColombiaGuyana
3

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Key Facts

Dating back approximately two billion years, certain rock formations within Canaima National Park rank among the most ancient geological structures on the planet.

Venezuela holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, concentrated in the Orinoco Belt, which helps in refreshing the country’s economy.

Angel Falls in Canaima National Park is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall.

Lake Maracaibo is one of the oldest lakes on Earth and a historic centre of oil production.

Venezuela is a haven for iconic South American wildlife, home to jaguars, capybaras, giant anteaters, anacondas, and giant river otters.

Rising like islands in the sky, Venezuela’s flat-topped tepuis feature isolated summits home to species found nowhere else on Earth.

Tepuis of the Guiana Shield are table-top mountains with unique endemic flora.

Arepa maize cakes and cacao from the coastal valleys are culinary signatures.

The country is home to more than 1,400 bird species, making it one of the world’s richest countries for birdlife.

Catatumbo lightning can produce spectacular lightning activity on dozens of nights each year around Lake Maracaibo.

Joropo music of the llanos and the national dance are symbols of the interior plains.

The Carnival of El Callao, an annual festival held from January to March, combines Venezuelan traditions with Afro-Antillean and French-Caribbean influences.

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research

Economic Overview

Macroeconomic Snapshot

GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-

Economic Comparison

IndicatorVenezuelaUAEVenezuelaUAE
GDP, current pricesUSD Billions--
GDP, PPPCurrent int$--
Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%)--
GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita--
PopulationMillions of people--
Unemployment rate% of total labor force--
Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%)--
General government gross debt% of GDP--
Income levelWorld Bank classification--

Foreign Trade

No data available for this section yet.

Political Overview

Leadership

Acting Head of State & Government

H.E. Delcy Rodriguez

Since January 2026

Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Dr. Yvan Gil Pinto

Since January 2023

Minister of Economy & Finance

H.E. Anabel Pereira Fernandez

Since August 2024

Minister of Trade

H.E. Luis Antonio Villegas Ramirez

Since January 2026

Minister of Defense

H.E. General-in-Chief Gustavo Enrique Gonzalez Lopez

Since March 2026

Political Summary

Political System

Federal Presidential Republic

The President is the Head of State and Head of Government; holds significant executive power, appoints the Cabinet, and commands the armed forces.

Ruling Party

United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV): Left-wing to far-left (since 1999, in continuous power under Chavez → Maduro → current acting government)

Main Opposition Force(s)

Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD): Big Tent; broad opposition coalition led by Maria Corina Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

Next Presidential Election

TBD (originally due around 2030 after the 2024 election, but the situation remains unstable following Nicolas Maduro’s removal in early 2026).

Next Legislative Election

May 2030

Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research

Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs

46Organizations
18Member
12Founding Member
4Partner, Observer or Participant
12Not a Member

Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations

Competitiveness Indexes

IndexYearRank Out ofVenezuelaUAE

No index matches.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic Relations and Representation

Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations2 Jun 197551 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
No Accredited Ambassador
H.E. Nabil Abdul Khalek
Foreign Ambassador
H.E. Nabil Abdul KhalekAmbassador of Venezuela to the UAE · Resident

Last Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research

Consular Information

Tourists
Residents
Students
Golden Visa Holders
Venezuela Nationalsin the UAE
----
UAE Citizensin Venezuela
----

Main Agreements and MoUs

Agreement / MOUStatusNotes
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Not Signed-
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement
Not Signed
The last round of negotiations was held virtually on 19 May 2025.
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Ratified
Signed on 11 Dec 2010.Entered into force on 20 Jun 2011.
ASAAir Services Agreement
Not Signed-
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research

UAE Foreign Assistance

UAE Aid to VenezuelaTotal Amount
Amount (USD Mn)-

Bilateral Visits

Official Visits from the UAE

  • H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign Trade
    Apr2024
  • H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of State for International Cooperation
    Jun2023
  • H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs
    Dec2010
  • H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al SharqiSupreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah
    Sep2000

Official Visits to the UAE

  • Mrs. Veronica CalcinariSpouse of the Vice President for Economy and Finance of Venezuela
    Feb2026
  • H.E. Calixto Ortega SanchezVice President for Economy and Finance of Venezuela
    Feb2026
  • H.E. Delcy RodriguezVice President of Venezuela
    Dec2024
  • H.E. Delcy RodriguezVice President of Venezuela
    Nov2022
  • H.E. Delcy RodriguezMinister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela
    Jan2015
  • H.E. Asdrubal ChavezMinister of Petroleum and Mining of Venezuela
    Jan2015
  • H.E. Hugo ChavezPresident of Venezuela
    Aug2000

The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.

Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research

Trade

Non-Oil Bilateral Trade

-

Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners

-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports

Key Trade Commodities

-

Foreign Direct Investment Flows

FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)-

Source: fDi Markets

Major Companies and Investments

Major Venezuelan Companies in the UAE

  • -

Major UAE Companies in Venezuela

  • -

Business Support

Joint Business Council(s)-

Cooperation Opportunities

Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.

Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research