AGP Executive Report

Earthquake recovery & food security: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez thanked Suriname for humanitarian aid after the June 24 double earthquake and pushed a fisheries and regenerative agriculture agenda, including harmonized animal and phytosanitary rules and food-security cooperation. Regional integration: Rodríguez and Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons signed strategic pacts covering energy, maritime and air transport, agriculture, fishing, commerce, tourism, culture, and education, with plans to activate a high-level joint commission and accelerate technical evaluations for Venezuelan agricultural supplies. Wildlife & parks cooperation: Venezuela’s government also moved to strengthen wildlife protection and public conservation capacity via agreements with India, including modernization of zoos and aquariums and support for parks and wildlife training. Mining & environmental governance: In Bolívar, Minister Héctor Silva visited the Bosco community as part of efforts to expand the “mining engine,” while emphasizing community organization and coordination tied to environmental protection. Illegal mining enforcement (spillover region): Guyana detained five non-nationals, including Venezuelans, after illegal mining was found in Potaro, seizing equipment and gold and warning of full enforcement under mining and environmental laws.

Wildlife & Biodiversity Cooperation: Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed an MoU with India’s Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC) to modernize zoos, bioparks, and wildlife conservation, including training, technical support, and plans for new facilities in La Guaira after the June earthquakes. Science for Environmental Monitoring: The Science and Technology minister inspected the Venezuela+Science park in Miranda, highlighting weather stations for environmental monitoring and research tied to climate impacts, including work on citrus HLB control. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Guyana authorities detained five non-nationals (including Venezuelans) after an illegal mining operation was found in Potaro; equipment and gold were seized, and the ministry warned of strict enforcement under mining and environmental laws. Fisheries Sustainability Roadmap: Venezuela and FAO agreed to a roadmap for sustainable small-scale fishing, including guidelines and community governance models using fishermen’s councils. Oil Sector Update (Orinoco Belt): Eni and PDVSA signed a 25-year contract making Eni exclusive operator for the Junín 5 field, part of a shift in Venezuela’s hydrocarbons operating model.

Fisheries Sustainability: Venezuela and FAO agreed to develop a road map to strengthen small-scale fishing and aquaculture, including sustainability guidelines and community governance via fishermen’s councils, with a possible technical mission to find new cooperation areas. Disaster Preparedness: INAMEH is set to hold the Caracas Prepared, Prevented and Resilient Forum for Disaster Risk 2026, bringing together meteorology, engineering, risk management, and mental health experts to update threat criteria, review El Niño-linked climate variations, and assess flood and landslide vulnerability. Earthquake Housing Relief: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led a nationwide housing handover delivering 151 new homes in Caracas and additional units in Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Trujillo, and Carabobo, bringing total quake-related housing solutions to 528. Climate Risk Signals: INAMEH also confirmed El Niño activity in Venezuela since June, raising the stakes for flood and landslide planning. Energy & Environment Watch: A US–Venezuela oil arrangement is drawing scrutiny, while global fuel-price shocks are reigniting debate over transport emissions and energy choices.

Disaster Recovery in Venezuela: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led a nationwide housing handover, delivering 151 new homes and raising earthquake-related housing solutions to 528 for families displaced by the June 24 twin quakes. Disaster Preparedness: INAMEH convened a Caracas disaster-risk forum to update technical criteria, assess El Niño’s evolving impacts on rainfall and temperature, and strengthen coordination for floods and landslides. Climate Signal: INAMEH confirmed El Niño has been active in Venezuela since last June, with rising temperatures and reduced rainfall, prompting preventive measures across government levels. Biodiversity Under Pressure: A new peer-reviewed study warns Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs abruptly by mid-century, threatening livelihoods tied to the fishery. Oil & Minerals Watch: Reuters reports the U.S. is exploring ways to involve U.S. firms in Venezuela’s gold and critical minerals alongside the recent oil deal, aiming to diversify supply and reduce rival influence.

Climate Watch (El Niño): INAMEH says El Niño has been active in Venezuela since June, with rising temperatures and falling rainfall, and notes preventive coordination across ministries. Biodiversity Under Threat (Queen Conch): A new study warns Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may fail as climate conditions shift abruptly, risking habitat suitability across the species’ range, including waters linked to Venezuela’s Orinoco. Agroecology & Cocoa: Venezuelan researchers at the IDEA Foundation are developing biotechnological bioprotectors to help cocoa withstand drought, El Niño impacts, and pests using beneficial microorganisms from cacao itself. Conservation Diplomacy (India-Venezuela): Venezuela and India signed an agreement to modernize national parks and zoos, boosting conservation, research, rehabilitation, and species care, with Caricuao and El Pinar highlighted. Energy & Environment (Chevron): Chevron announced plans to invest over $7B in Venezuela and expand production rights in the Orinoco Belt—an environmental pressure point as the country rebuilds oil capacity.

Climate Risk for Food: A “super El Niño” could intensify droughts and crop damage across parts of Venezuela and the region, with the UN’s food agency warning up to 16 million people in Latin America may face a food security crisis. Urban Mobility & Resilience: Caracas’ Public Works ministry says construction of two futuristic Baralt Avenue transport stops near Quinta Crespo is 70% complete, including drainage, electrical upgrades, and weather-protection features. Biodiversity & Parks/Zoos: Venezuela and India signed an agreement to modernize the country’s parks and zoos, with plans to strengthen conservation, research, rehabilitation, and species care—starting with Caricuao and El Pinar. Climate-Smart Agriculture: Venezuelan researchers are developing biotechnological strategies to protect cacao from climate change impacts like pests and altered rainfall, using biostimulant microorganisms from local plantations.

El Niño & disaster prep: With a “very strong” El Niño forecast for fall/winter 2026–27, ShelterBox USA is urging families to build evacuation-ready grab bags and stock essentials for days, noting it’s currently responding to emergencies in Venezuela. Oil & climate pressure: A new UN-backed climate goal study warns the world is set to overshoot 1.5°C soon, pushing for an “overshoot, peak and decline” pathway—raising the stakes for Venezuela as energy expansion plans grow. Venezuela housing recovery: The “Venezuela Rises” plan delivered 400+ restored homes in Caracas, including repairs to water systems, roofs, and common areas, with community councils and neighbors involved. Earthquake response tech: U.S.-linked reporting highlights how radar Earth observation data helped guide emergency response after Venezuela’s earthquakes, underscoring the value of better monitoring. Oil deal fallout: Multiple reports track Chevron’s $7B Venezuela expansion and other new Orinoco Belt investments, while analysts caution that gas prices may not fall soon—an environmental and public-health concern as production ramps up. Local resilience amid storms: PSUV leaders say electrical and rain impacts are ongoing and push school maintenance plus earthquake/natural-disaster prevention efforts. Curaçao refinery uncertainty (regional spillover): Environmental group Clean Air Everywhere questions the economics of asphalt production at Curaçao’s former refinery site, while local government reports cite unpaid obligations tied to Venezuela-linked oil operations.

Earthquake recovery and disaster readiness: Venezuela Rises delivered 400+ restored homes in Caracas after the earthquakes, including repairs to potable water pipes, roofs, and common areas, with community councils and neighbors helping speed execution. Seismic science: Scientists reported a new GPS-based method to map where major earthquakes are more likely, offering better preparation even though it can’t predict timing. Storm and school preparedness: PSUV leader Diosdado Cabello said the party is mobilized on electricity and rain impacts, including hurricane-related winds, and will support schools ahead of the Sept. 14 return with prevention guidance for earthquakes and natural disasters. Health tech for biodiversity: Venezuelan researchers advanced an electroscalpel for veterinary surgery and an in-vitro scorpion-poison diagnostic kit to match treatments to local venom species. Oil expansion with environmental stakes: Chevron, Eni, and GeoPark announced major new Orinoco Belt investments, potentially boosting output but raising concerns about pollution and ecosystem pressure as infrastructure ramps up.

Eco-socialism & wildlife education: Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a new agreement with India and backed eco-socialist efforts aimed at climate-risk mitigation, including plans for parks and education focused on protecting native fauna and “love for a living being.” Biodiversity & health innovation: Venezuela’s Natural Toxins Laboratory in Miranda is developing an in-vitro rapid diagnostic kit to identify scorpion species by region, helping tailor treatment for venom-related poisoning. Community-led fisheries governance: At the PPE 2026 Small-Scale Fisheries Summit, Venezuela highlighted its decentralized model that puts grassroots fishermen and aquaculture groups at the center of sustainable, safer, and more inclusive fisheries management—covering over 113,000 organized members nationwide. Disaster recovery pressure: Reports on Venezuela’s earthquake aftermath continue, including families refusing to stop searching for missing people in La Guaira, underscoring ongoing environmental and public-safety strain after major seismic events.

Wildlife & Climate Education: Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed a memorandum with India’s Greens Zoo Rescue and Rehabilitation Center to expand eco-socialism efforts, including wildlife-loving education from childhood and new conservation-focused parks. Big Cats Conservation: Rodríguez also signed into law the framework for the International Big Cat Alliance, aiming to protect threatened felines like jaguars and leopards, leveraging Venezuela’s biodiversity. Zoos, Aquariums & Training: Venezuela and India agreed to modernize public zoos, create wildlife medical centers and aquariums, and run multi-year training exchanges for veterinarians and wildlife professionals. Coastal Wildlife Infrastructure: La Guaira will get an aquarium and wildlife conservation center, plus a veterinary center and wildlife hospital, with support for rehabilitating key zoos such as Pinar and Caricuao. Fisheries Sustainability: At PPE 2026, Venezuela highlighted its decentralized small-scale fisheries model through CONPPA councils, organizing 113,000 fishers and aquaculturists across 1,597 groups to strengthen sustainable, community-led management.

Biodiversity & Wildlife Conservation: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez signed a framework law creating the International Big Cat Alliance, backed by India’s Vantara/Greens Zoo Rescue, to protect threatened felines like jaguars and leopards and strengthen biodiversity across the country. Eco-socialism & Climate Education: Rodríguez also pushed an eco-socialist push tied to climate urgency, framing new parks and wildlife-focused education as a way to build stewardship from childhood. Zoos, Aquariums & Training: Venezuela’s Ecosocialism ministry (Nelson Rodríguez) announced multi-year cooperation with India to modernize public zoos, create wildlife medical centers and aquariums, and train veterinarians and caregivers in wildlife conservation and care. Coastal Wildlife Infrastructure: A new aquarium and wildlife conservation center is planned for La Guaira, with veterinary and wildlife hospital services and technical support for recovery of key zoos. Energy & Environment Tension: Separate coverage highlights Venezuela’s oil infrastructure recovery plans and the broader U.S.-Venezuela oil deal debate, raising questions about how new extraction and investment will affect environmental risk and local benefits.

Wildlife & Biodiversity: Venezuela’s Ecosocialism Minister Nelson Rodríguez says an India Greens Center deal will train Venezuelan veterinarians and wildlife caregivers to improve zoo and wildlife conservation standards, with phased programs starting in-country and continuing in India. Big Cats Conservation Law: President Delcy Rodríguez enacted a law creating the International Big Cat Alliance framework with India’s Vantara center, aimed at protecting threatened felines like jaguar and leopard and supporting biodiversity across Venezuela’s habitats. La Guaira Aquarium Plan: Rodríguez also announced an aquarium and wildlife conservation center in La Guaira, plus a veterinary center and wildlife hospital, alongside technical support to rehabilitate the Pinar and Caricuao zoos. Earthquake Recovery: Venezuela signed a contract with Miyamoto International to remove 3 million tons of debris from the June double earthquakes over one year, strengthening seismic risk management and emergency response capacity. Regional Diplomacy & Environment: Trinidad and Tobago business groups welcomed renewed engagement with Venezuela, listing sustainable development and environmental protection among priority areas for cooperation.

Earthquake Recovery: Venezuela signed a contract with Miyamoto International to remove 3 million tons of debris from the June double earthquakes over one year, aiming to strengthen seismic risk management and emergency response. Oil & Environment: PDVSA and GeoPark (Gilinski Group) launched a 25-year Orinoco Belt alliance to boost recovery in the Bare field, with claims of strict environmental standards and community responsibility. Mining Governance: Venezuela’s mining ministry met residents in Belén (El Callao) to push a more participatory, “responsible exploitation” model ahead of an Oct. 18 popular consultation, including reforestation-linked local history. Sanctions & Minerals: OFAC issued amended licenses adding coal to existing authorizations for Venezuelan mineral trade, expanding certain commercial activities while still restricting new extraction and new mining joint ventures inside Venezuela. Regional Context: A U.S.-Venezuela oil deal and related energy moves continue to ripple through fuel prices and geopolitics, with diesel costs staying in focus amid wider global supply disruptions.

Earthquake Recovery: Venezuela signed a contract with Miyamoto International to remove about 3 million tons of debris from the June double earthquakes over one year, aiming to strengthen seismic risk management and emergency response. Orinoco Belt Energy & Environment: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez backed a 25-year alliance between PDVSA and GeoPark (Gilinski Group) to boost production in the Bare field, with claims of strict environmental management and community responsibility. Mining Governance in Bolívar: Minister Héctor Silva met residents in Belén, El Callao, to push a more participatory, “responsible exploitation” approach for gold work ahead of an Oct. 18 popular consultation, linking local development with reforestation history. U.S.–Venezuela Oil Politics: Multiple reports track how a new U.S. stake and access deal could reshape Venezuela’s energy recovery and Caribbean influence, while raising questions about who benefits and whether fuel-price relief will reach the public. Regional Diplomacy: A former Trinidad and Tobago diplomat says Venezuela’s reception of T&T officials signaled relations still aren’t repaired, underscoring how politics can spill into cross-border cooperation.

US-Venezuela Oil Deal Expands: The U.S. secured access to Venezuela’s massive crude reserves via a new arrangement covering 17 oil fields (about 65 billion barrels), with claims of first refusal and preferential production access—though experts stress near-term gasoline relief for Americans is unlikely and Venezuelans may not feel benefits quickly. Sanctions & Mining Licenses: OFAC issued amended licenses adding coal to existing authorizations for Venezuelan mineral trade, expanding commercial activity while keeping tight U.S. control over payments and project participation. Earthquake Recovery in Venezuela: After major earthquakes that struck the Caracas-La Guaira region, thousands remain in camps and the destruction of homes and services keeps compounding the humanitarian crisis. Regional Diplomacy With Environmental Focus: Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela announced a “new era” roadmap that includes energy, agriculture, environmental protection, and collective security—aiming to turn cooperation into a practical agenda. Water Regulation Watch (US): EPA reopened public comment on parts of the WOTUS rule, extending the timeline for finalizing which waters get federal oversight.

Earthquake Aftermath & Humanitarian Need: Venezuela’s June twin earthquakes are still killing and displacing people, with death tolls rising past 6,300 and tens of thousands missing or stuck in camps, especially along La Guaira’s Caribbean coast where homes and services were shattered. Caribbean Environmental Cooperation: Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela agreed on a roadmap to deepen ties on energy, agriculture, environmental protection, and sustainable development across the Caribbean. Drones in Disaster Response (and the risk of chaos): A report on Venezuela’s earthquakes highlights how drones rapidly mapped damage and helped find survivors, but also warns that unmanaged drone airspace can turn the sky into a safety problem when many teams arrive at once. Oil Deal Scrutiny with Climate/Infrastructure Implications: The US-Venezuela oil agreement is drawing cautious pushback as analysts say production recovery will take years, meaning any benefits for fuel prices—and any environmental safeguards—won’t be immediate. Mining Watch: A Qatar-based firm is recruiting for gold mining in Venezuela, pointing to renewed pressure on land, water, and tailings management in the mining sector. Biodiversity & Sustainable Fishing (regional signal): Colombia’s Wayuu fishers and marine biologists are working to document sharks and shift away from targeted fishing, underscoring how conservation and livelihoods collide across the region.