SECURITY GUIDE · INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES

Doing business in Venezuela in 2026: a security guide for international companies

CECOM-Intel | CSSG Global · Last reviewed

BOTTOM LINE

Commercial engagement with Venezuela is reopening, but security remains each company’s own responsibility. In January 2026 the U.S. Secretary of Energy said Washington would not provide on-the-ground security for oil companies operating in the country. Companies need a security program, a licensed local partner and continuous risk monitoring before they commit people and assets.

The operating environment

  • The U.S. advisory stands at Level 3 (27 June 2026) and the UK advises against all travel to the border and mining regions; both describe limited consular support.

  • The 24 June 2026 earthquakes disrupted infrastructure around La Guaira and parts of Caracas; Maiquetía airport resumed commercial operations on 1 September with limited capacity.

  • Power, water and fuel supplies can be unreliable outside Caracas, which affects site operations and contingency planning.

  • Organized crime and armed groups are concentrated in border, mining and trafficking areas, where extortion and kidnapping risks are higher.

Sanctions context (not legal advice)

Many activities are authorized through OFAC general licenses, which can be amended, delayed or revoked. In 2026 OFAC has repeatedly adjusted the Venezuela program: for example, General License 5Z (16 September 2026) delayed the effectiveness of General License 5 until 5 November 2026, and General License 60A (16 October 2026) authorizes earthquake-relief transactions. Companies should obtain advice from sanctions counsel; security findings complement, and never replace, that advice.

Security risks to plan for

  • Site security: perimeter, access control and the immediate surroundings of each facility, where most incidents begin.

  • Staff movements: commuting, airport transfers and travel between cities, managed through journey management.

  • Local hiring: vetting of staff and contractors within the legal framework.

  • Supply chain and logistics routes, especially through higher-risk regions.

  • Extortion and criminal pressure on operations in border and mining areas.

  • Infrastructure failures and natural hazards, including earthquake aftershocks.

Building a security program

  • Start with a risk assessment based on ISO 31000 and an enterprise security risk management (ESRM) approach.

  • Adopt a written duty-of-care policy covering employees, visitors and contractors.

  • Set up 24/7 monitoring through a security operations center (GSOC) with clear escalation to your head office.

  • Prepare incident, crisis and evacuation plans that do not depend on government assistance.

  • Require reporting in the formats your head office already uses, in English.

Choosing a local security partner

  • License: private security companies need authorization from DIGESERVISP (Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace); check the geographic scope it covers.

  • Quality management: ISO 9001 certification or an equivalent audited system.

  • People: how staff are vetted, trained and paid; low turnover is a security control.

  • Transparency: which services are delivered with own personnel and which through partners.

  • Independence: a firm that audits your security should not also be bidding to provide it.

  • References you can verify and reporting in English.

Where CSSG fits

CSSG has operated in Venezuela since 2009 and protects G7 diplomatic missions and multinationals. It is ISO 9001:2015 and Cyber Essentials certified and holds DIGESERVISP authorization for unarmed private security in the Capital District and Miranda state. Its CECOM, the company’s in-country GSOC, provides daily risk bulletins, journey management and 24/7 monitoring. For international risk and protection firms without a presence in Venezuela, CSSG works as the in-country partner: you keep the client and the relationship; we provide the eyes on the ground and the response capacity, under your standard. Invoicing is available through Company of Security and Service Global LLC (Miami).

Sources

This guide summarizes public sources and CSSG’s operational experience for general planning. It is not legal advice and does not replace an assessment of your specific trip or operation.

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Dirección

Chacao, Caracas, Venezuela.

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