Latin America & Caribbean and US Chapter Event "Revamping the Venezuelan Energy Business: Overview of the Opportunities and Challenges Ahead"
8:00 - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Pennzoil Place | 711 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002
Panel one featuring:
Elisabeth Eljuri, International Energy Expert, Elisabeth Eljuri, P.A.; Former AIEN President 2013-2014
Francisco Monaldi, Director - Latin America Energy Program, Baker Institute
Cristina Tovar, President, Asociacion Venezolana de Hidrocarburos
Moderator: Luís Miranda, Of Counsel, Miranda Alliance Business Development LLC
Panel two featuring:
Julian Cardenas, Research Assistant Professor & Director - Center for U.S. and Mexican Law, University of Houston Law Center
Imad Khan, Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
Alexandre Lamy, Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP
Moderator: Mark Faesecke, Global Head - Capital Projects, Blue Water Shipping
Join our Latin America & Caribbean and US Chapters for a two-panel discussion following breakfast on the future of Venezuela’s hydrocarbons sector. With the 2026 Hydrocarbons Law Amendment, Venezuela has opened its oil industry to private investment, reduced royalties and taxes, and introduced new investor protections in order to attract international investment. However, the reforms come amid heightened political uncertainty, raising questions about whether the new framework can provide the legal certainty investors seek.
Our first panel will explore the opportunities created by the new legal framework, the evolving role of PDVSA, and Venezuela’s fiscal competitiveness. Our second panel will then address ongoing challenges for US and non-US companies in the energy sector, including the impact of recent US sanctions policy shifts with new OFAC general licenses easing some restrictions, but significant compliance risks and broader sanctions remaining.
Don’t miss this timely discussion on the risks and rewards of investing in Venezuela’s energy sector at a critical moment of change.
Registration is $15 for members, $30 for non-members, and $10 for students. Please register at the link to the right by April 7.
Special thanks to event-sponsors:
