Undersecretary Tripodi meets Venezuela’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Oliver Blanco

The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, met today at the Farnesina with Venezuela's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oliver Blanco Marcos, who is visiting Italy to relaunch bilateral economic cooperation. The meeting builds on ongoing high-level contacts between the two countries, including Minister Antonio Tajani's recent telephone conversation with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yván Gil, and confirms the shared intention to further strengthen historically close relations, also in light of the presence of a large Italian community in Venezuela and a Venezuelan community in Italy.

During the meeting, the Undersecretary highlighted the positive development of bilateral relations, also in light of the recent release of Italian nationals, which has helped to reopen a more constructive dialogue between Rome and Caracas. Tripodi reaffirmed Italy's expectation regarding the release of the remaining Italian political detainees and the adoption of humanitarian measures for the most vulnerable cases, welcoming signs of openness such as the recent amnesty law and the commitment to ensuring full procedural guarantees.

Particular attention was also devoted to the relaunch of economic cooperation, especially in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors, as well as to the contribution of Italian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to the modernisation of Venezuela's economic fabric.

"Our two countries can embark on a new phase in bilateral relations, based on trust, economic growth and concrete cooperation," said Undersecretary Tripodi, underlining Italy's readiness to promote economic missions and cooperation also in the judicial field and in the fight against organised crime. In 2025, bilateral trade amounted to EUR 417 million, confirming a still significant economic relationship, albeit with ample room for growth.