On 14 March 2025, in Caracas (Distrito Capital), sixteen Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) officers were arrested for detaining a businessman at El Helicoide prison. Authorities have not yet commented on the case.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary On March 14, 16 agents from Venezuela's Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) were arrested in Caracas on charges of illegally detaining businesspeople. While the exposure of misconduct within government intelligence agencies reaffirms Venezuela's institutional instability, direct supply-chain impacts are assessed to be limited.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Oil & gas sector: SEBIN's illegal actions targeting businesspeople could heighten foreign investors' concerns about entering Venezuela, particularly spreading perceptions of deteriorating business environment for oil-related operations
• General manufacturing: Concerns over arbitrary law enforcement by government agencies necessitate multinational companies to reassess risks regarding operations of production bases within Venezuela
• Logistics & transportation: Increased operational uncertainty for Caracas-based companies may generate additional risk premiums when utilizing logistics networks transiting through Venezuela

3) Watch points

• Whether the identities and industry affiliations of arrested businesspeople are disclosed - need to confirm targeting patterns for specific industries
• Venezuelan government's official position statements and SEBIN organizational restructuring trends - indicators for assessing institutional reform commitment