Portugal Economy Minister to visit Venezuela in October

Portuguese Economy Minister Manuel Castro Almeida is scheduled to visit Venezuela in late October. The visit is being planned alongside Secretary of State for Communities Emídio Sousa and a business delegation.

According to the Portuguese Ambassador to Venezuela, Manuel Frederico Pinheiro da Silva, the mission aims to engage with Venezuelan authorities, the local business sector, and the Portuguese-Venezuelan business community. The ambassador noted that Portugal remains the only European Union country to send government members to the nation following the events of January 3, which involved a U.S. military operation and the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power.

The diplomatic objective is to encourage reforms, promote the rule of law, democracy, and human rights, and maintain contact with the Portuguese community residing in Venezuela.