Venezuela
Venezuela
Introduction
Background
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his “21st Century Socialism,” which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking capitalist globalization and existing democratic institutions. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
Geography
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates
8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references
South America
Area
total: 912,050 sq km
country comparison to the world: 33 land:882,050 sq km
water:30,000 sq km
Area – comparative
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries
total: 4,993 km
border countries:Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Coastline
2,800 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:15 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate
tropical
hot, humid
more moderate in highlands
Terrain
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest
central plains (llanos)
Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:Pico Bolivar 5,007 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land use
arable land: 2.85%
permanent crops:0.88%
other:96.27% (2005)
Irrigated land
5,800 sq km (2008)
Total renewable water resources
1,233.2 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
total: 8.37cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%)
per capita:313cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides
periodic droughts
Environment – current issues
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia
oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo
deforestation
soil degradation
urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast
threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment – international agreements
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed but not ratified::none of the selected agreements
Geography – note
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America
Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world’s highest waterfall
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective:Venezuelan
Ethnic groups
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Religions
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Population
27,635,743 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Age structure
0-14 years: 29.5% (male 4,149,781/female 4,002,931)
15-64 years:65.1% (male 8,846,945/female 9,130,561)
65 years and over:5.4% (male 665,436/female 840,089) (2011 est.)
Median age
total: 26.1 years
male:25.4 years
female:26.8 years (2011 est.)
Population growth rate
1.493% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Birth rate
20.1 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Death rate
5.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Net migration rate
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Urbanization
urban population: 93% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities – population
CARACAS (capital) 3.051 million
Maracaibo 2.153 million
Valencia 1.738 million
Barquisimeto 1.159 million
Maracay 1.04 million (2009)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.79 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate
68 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 86
Infant mortality rate
total: 20.62 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 95 male:24.12 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 73.93 years
country comparison to the world: 110 male:70.84 years
female:77.17 years (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.42 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Physicians density
1.94 physicians/1,000 population (2001)
country comparison to the world: 65
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 132
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 94% of population
rural: 74% of population
total: 92% of population
unimproved:
urban: 6% of population
rural: 26% of population
total: 8% of population (2000)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 93% of population
rural: 54% of population
total: 89% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7% of population
rural: 46% of population
total: 11% of population (2000)
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate
NA
NA note – no country specific models provided
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS – deaths
NA
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease:dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.7% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 96
Education expenditures
3.7% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 112
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:93%
male:93.3%
female:92.7% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years
male:13 years
female:15 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 13.6%
country comparison to the world: 83 male:12.3%
female:15.9% (2008)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form:Venezuela
local long form:Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form:Venezuela
Government type
federal republic
Capital
name: Caracas
geographic coordinates:10 30 N, 66 56 W
time difference:UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
23 states (estados, singular – estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal)
Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales (Federal Dependencies)**, Distrito Capital (Capital District)*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia
note:the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution
30 December 1999
Legal system
civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration
accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age
universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999)
Executive Vice President Elias JAUA Milano (since 26 January 2010)
note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999)
Executive Vice President Elias JAUA Milano (since 26 January 2010)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for unlimited reelection)
election last held on 3 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2012)
note:in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years
an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution
in 2009, a national referendum approved the elimination of term limits on all elected officials, including the presidency
election results:Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president
percent of vote – Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 62.9%, Manuel ROSALES 36.9%, other 0.2%
Legislative branch
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats
members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms
three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)
elections:last held on 26 September 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party – pro-government 48.9%, opposition coalition 47.9%, other 3.2%
seats by party – pro-government 98, opposition 65, other 2
Judicial branch
Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (32 magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)
Political parties and leaders
A New Time or UNT [Omar BARBOZA]
Brave People’s Alliance or ABP [Oscar PEREZ, currently in exile]
Christian Democrats or COPEI [Roberto ENRIQUEZ]
Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA]
Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]
Fatherland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]
For Social Democracy or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]
Justice First [Julio BORGES]
Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Nicolas SOSA]
The Radical Cause [Daniel SANTOLO]
United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]
Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer]
Political pressure groups and leaders
FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group
VECINOS groups
Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action)
various civil society groups and human rights organizations
International organization participation
Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
Charge d’Affaires Angelo RIVERO Santos
chancery:1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 342-2214
FAX:[1] (202) 342-6820
consulate(s) general:Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
Charge d’Affaires John CAULFIELD
embassy:Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080
mailing address:P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A
APO AA 34037
telephone:[58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours)
FAX:[58] (212) 907-8199
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band
the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830
yellow is interpreted as standing for the riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for the blood shed in attaining independence
the seven stars on the original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that united in the war of independence
in 2006, President Hugo CHAVEZ ordered an eighth star added to the star arc – a decision that sparked much controversy – to conform with the flag proclaimed by Simon Bolivar in 1827 and to represent the province of Guayana
National symbol(s)
troupial (bird)
National anthem
name: “Gloria al bravo pueblo” (Glory to the Brave Nation)
lyrics/music:Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA
note:adopted 1881
the lyrics were written in 1810, the music some years later
both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela’s struggle for independence
Economy
Economy – overview
Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 95% of export earnings, about 55% of the federal budget revenues, and around 30% of GDP. A nationwide strike between December 2002 and February 2003 had far-reaching economic consequences – real GDP declined by around 9% in 2002 and 8% in 2003 – but economic output recovered strongly through 2008. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP by about 10% in 2006, 8% in 2007, and nearly 5% in 2008, before a sharp drop in oil prices caused a contraction in 2009-10. This spending, combined with recent minimum wage hikes and improved access to domestic credit, created a consumption boom which came at the cost of higher inflation – roughly 32% in 2008, and slowing only slightly to 30% in 2010, despite the lengthy downturn. Imports also jumped significantly before the recession of 2009. President Hugo CHAVEZ’s continued efforts to increase the government’s control of the economy by nationalizing firms in the agribusiness, financial, construction, oil, and steel sectors have hurt the private investment environment, reduced productive capacity, and slowed non-petroleum exports. In the first half of 2010 Venezuela faced the prospect of lengthy nationwide blackouts when its main hydroelectric power plant – which provides more than 35% of the country’s electricity – nearly shut down. In May, 2010, CHAVEZ closed the unofficial foreign exchange market – the “parallel” market – in an effort to stem inflation and slow the currency’s depreciation. In June 2010, the government created the “Transaction System for Foreign Currency Denominated Securities” (SITME) to replace the “parallel” market. In December 2010, CHAVEZ eliminated the dual exchange rate system and unified the exchange rate at 4.3 bolivars per dollar. In January 2011, CHAVEZ announced the second devaluation of the bolivar within twelve months. In December 2010, the National Assembly passed a package of five organic laws designed to complete the transformation of the Venezuelan economy in line with CHAVEZ’s vision of 21st century socialism. These laws likely will be implemented in 2011. Venezuela began 2011 wrestling with macroeconomic imbalances resulting from the government’s unorthodox economic policies, a housing crisis, and a continuing electricity crisis.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$345.2 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35 $351.9 billion (2009 est.)
$363.9 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$290.7 billion (2010 est.)
GDP – real growth rate
-1.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205 -3.3% (2009 est.)
4.8% (2008 est.)
GDP – per capita (PPP)
$12,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92 $13,100 (2009 est.)
$13,800 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP – composition by sector
agriculture: 3.9%
industry:36.1%
services:60% (2010 est.)
Labor force
13.11 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Labor force – by occupation
agriculture: 13%
industry:23%
services:64% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate
8.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100 7.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line
37.9% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%:32.7% (2006)
Distribution of family income – Gini index
41 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 57 49.5 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed)
17.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Budget
revenues: $63.02 billion
expenditures:$79.59 billion (2010 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
21.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-5.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Public debt
24.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100 18% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
28.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222 27.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate
29.5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 3 33.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
18.348% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24 19.893% (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$70.57 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38 $104.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of broad money
$78.88 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57 $118.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$48.78 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65 $75.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$3.991 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 70 $8.86 billion (31 December 2009)
$8.251 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture – products
corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee
beef, pork, milk, eggs
fish
Industries
petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles
iron ore mining, steel, aluminum
motor vehicle assembly
Industrial production growth rate
-3.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity – production
123.4 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Electricity – consumption
84.72 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity – exports
633 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity – imports
373 million kWh (2009 est.)
Oil – production
2.375 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
Oil – consumption
746,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Oil – exports
1.871 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Oil – imports
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
Oil – proved reserves
211.2 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas – production
22.9 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas – consumption
25.08 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
Natural gas – exports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Natural gas – imports
2.18 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas – proved reserves
5.065 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Current account balance
$14.38 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22 $8.561 billion (2009 est.)
Exports
$65.79 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48 $57.6 billion (2009 est.)
Exports – commodities
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
Exports – partners
US 38.7%, China 7.7%, India 4.8%, Cuba 4.1% (2010)
Imports
$38.61 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 $38.44 billion (2009 est.)
Imports – commodities
agricultural products, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials
Imports – partners
US 26.6%, Colombia 11.4%, Brazil 9.6%, China 9.1% (2010)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$29.62 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48 $35 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt – external
$61.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53 $54.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment – at home
$38.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57 $41.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad
$19.89 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 $17.67 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar -
4.3039 (2010)
2.147 (2009)
2.147 (2008)
2,147 (2007)
2,147 (2006)
Transportation
Airports
409 (2010)
country comparison to the world:20
Airports – with paved runways
total: 129
over 3,047 m:5
2,438 to 3,047 m:10
1,524 to 2,437 m:34
914 to 1,523 m:63
under 914 m:17 (2010)
Airports – with unpaved runways
total: 280
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:16
914 to 1,523 m:91
under 914 m:172 (2010)
Heliports
4 (2010)
Pipelines
extra heavy crude 980 km
gas 5,347 km
oil 6,694 km
refined products 1,620 km (2010)
Railways
total: 806 km
country comparison to the world: 98 standard gauge:806 km 1.435-m gauge (41 km electrified) (2010)
Roadways
total: 96,155 km
country comparison to the world: 45 paved:32,308 km
unpaved:63,847 km (2002)
Waterways
7,100 km (the Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo are navigable by oceangoing vessels) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 21
Merchant marine
total: 59
country comparison to the world: 66 by type:bulk carrier 5, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 16
foreign-owned:10 (Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Mexico 1, Norway 1, Spain 1)
registered in other countries:9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals
La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
oil terminals:Jose terminal
Transportation – note
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships
numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway
crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Military
Military branches
Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB
includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB), Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana, MB) (2011)
Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service
30-month conscript service obligation
Navy requires 6th-grade education for enlisted personnel
all citizens of military service age (18-60 years old) are obligated to register for military service (2011)
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 7,013,854
females age 16-49:7,165,661 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 5,614,743
females age 16-49:6,074,834 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 277,210
female:273,353 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures
1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Transnational Issues
Disputes – international
claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary
Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago’s maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters
dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes islands near the Gulf of Venezuela
Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela’s shared border region
in 2006, an estimated 139,000 Colombians sought protection in 150 communities along the border in Venezuela
US, France, and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela’s granting full effect to Aves Island, thereby claiming a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela’s full effect claim
Trafficking in persons
current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor
Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation’s interior to urban and tourist areas
to a lesser extent, Brazilian women and Colombian women are subjected to forced prostitution
some Venezuelan women are transported to Caribbean islands, particularly Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad &
Tobago, where they are subjected to forced prostitution
tier rating:Tier 3 – the government investigated potential cases of suspected human trafficking and arrested at least 12 people for trafficking crimes during the reporting period
however, there was no further publicly available information regarding those cases
Venezuela is not making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking (2011)
Illicit drugs
small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives
however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe
significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island
active eradication program primarily targeting opium
increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border (2011)