Venezuelan officials reported a swift resurgence in both economic exports and international diplomacy just two months following a violent attack that temporarily destabilized President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. During the Agrofest event at Queen’s Park on Thursday, Tomás Reyes, Secretary of Economy for Lara state, revealed that export activities to the United States resumed almost immediately after the incident, signaling an unexpectedly robust economic recovery.
Reyes provided specific export data, noting that “67 containers of green coffee have been shipped to the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy,” with total global coffee exports exceeding 200 containers. Additionally, Venezuela exported between 17 to 30 containers of charcoal in the past month, demonstrating consistent trade performance despite the political turbulence.
Diplomatic relations have similarly strengthened, according to both Venezuelan and international officials. Reyes emphasized that “our relationship with America is getting stronger, getting better,” while Barbados Ambassador to Caracas Commander Aquinas Clarke characterized the attack as “very limited, really in Caracas,” noting that most businesses remained unaffected due to the incident’s geographical isolation.
Ambassador Clarke detailed Venezuela’s improving international standing, revealing that the United States has established an embassy there, Italy has upgraded its diplomatic representation to ambassadorial level, and relations with Colombia have significantly improved. The country has maintained calm and is “on a road to growth,” working closely with regional partners.
Looking forward, Venezuelan officials outlined ambitious trade expansion plans across the Caribbean. Reyes announced intentions to export Guara pineapples throughout the CARICOM region, targeting “one or two containers a week of pineapple from Lara.” Additionally, the state’s substantial dairy production capacity—capable of processing over 150,000 liters of milk daily through four major companies that meet 80% of domestic demand—positions Venezuela as a potential regional milk supplier.
Officials stressed that agricultural development and international trade will remain central to Venezuela’s strategy for strengthening both bilateral relations with the United States and regional economic integration across the Caribbean.