Foreign Investment in Venezuela Decreased During Maduro's Presidency

The United States (US) government arrested Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, on Saturday (January 3, 2026).

In a press release on Monday (January 5, 2026), the US presidential office, The White House, declared Maduro's arrest a victory.

"President Donald J. Trump has scored another remarkable foreign policy triumph: the bold capture and extradition of Nicolas Maduro, the indicted narcoterrorist and socialist dictator who plunged Venezuela into chaos, starved its people, and menaced American security," they said.

Referring to World Bank data, Venezuela's economy has indeed tended to weaken during Nicolas Maduro's leadership. This is partly evident from the decrease in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country.

Previously, during the 1999-2012 period, when Venezuela was still led by President Hugo Chavez, the value of foreign investment entering Venezuela averaged US$2.54 billion per year.

Then, after Nicolas Maduro took office, during the 2013-2024 period, foreign investment fell to an average of US$1.29 billion per year, with fluctuations as shown in the graph.

According to the Swiss Embassy in Venezuela, the investment climate in the country during Nicolas Maduro's era is considered high-risk.

"Although the legal framework technically allows foreign investment, political and macroeconomic risks are high," said the Swiss Embassy in its Economic Report 2024/2025 Venezuela.

"Despite government rhetoric about economic openness, the combined effects of international sanctions, political instability, legal uncertainty, and fragile infrastructure continue to keep Venezuela on the margins of global investment chains," they said.