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Uncertainty and Opportunity: How to Navigate in Venezuela’s Evolving Situation

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  • Uncertainty and Opportunity: How to Navigate in Venezuela’s Evolving Situation
Louis J Milione / Yohir Akerman / Andrés Otero
Event Date 01/20/2026

Venezuela has entered a high-risk transition phase marked by political disruption, aggressive enforcement, and rapidly shifting regulatory expectations. The U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, combined with expanded Foreign Terrorist Organization, FTO, designations and fluid OFAC guidance, has fundamentally altered the operating and investment landscape. In this environment, conventional emerging market playbooks are no longer sufficient. Leaders must blend real time intelligence with rigorous sanctions compliance, enhanced counterparty diligence, political scenario modeling, and pragmatic operational planning.

During this executive session, seasoned investigators, compliance practitioners, and strategic risk advisors discussed the fast-moving developments into a practical decision framework for companies and investors assessing entry, re-entry, or expansion in Venezuela. The discussion focused on what to anticipate sanctions volatility and regulatory whiplash, conducting defensible counterparty and beneficial-ownership diligence; modeling political and enforcement scenarios under contested authority; and plan operations amid infrastructure, security, and logistics constraints. The session also examined oil, gas, and strategic minerals, sectors where opportunity is emerging alongside significant enforcement risk.

Participants left with actionable frameworks and checklists to stress-test investment and operational decisions and avoid being caught off-side by shifting authority, unclear governance, or evolving sanctions enforcement.

Watch a recap of the webinar -> Here

Compliance note: This session provides practical insights and risk frameworks, not legal advice; consult counsel for specific matters to your organization.

Lou Milione wearing a suit and tie for a professional headshot

Louis J Milione

President, Global Investigations + Regulatory Compliance

With more than twenty-five years of public and private sector experience, Louis J. Milione returns to Guidepost Solutions as President of Global Investigations and Regulatory Compliance having served as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Principal Deputy Administrator from 2021 to 2023.  As the DEA’s second in command, Mr. Milione led an agency of more than 10,000 public servants – including 5,000 Special Agents, 800 Intelligence Analysts and 700 Diversion Investigators – who work in DEA’s 334 offices around the globe.
Yohir Akerman in a suit and white shirt is sitting in front of a black background

Yohir Akerman

President, Global Investigations + LATAM Region

Yohir Akerman is President of Global Investigations & LATAM Region at Guidepost Solutions. In this role, he helps lead the firm’s Global Investigations practice and oversees Guidepost’s Latin America region, with teams and offices in New York, Miami, Mexico City, and Bogotá, supporting work across the region and beyond.

Andrés Otero

President, Global Investigations & LATAM Region

Andrés Otero has extensive investigative experience throughout Central and Latin America. He is also recognized as an expert in dispute advisory and anti-corruption matters. He is an expert in various investigation and intelligence areas, and is involved in issues such as the fight against corruption and maintaining institutional integrity.
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