The government of Javier Milei is getting ready to unveil a list of Argentine companies engaged in commercial activities with Nicolas Maduro’s regime, as part of an international cooperation gesture before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and security agencies in the United States. Sources from Venezuelapolitica.info confirm that the names of the involved businessmen will be submitted to U.S. authorities and could lead to formal investigations, possibly spearheaded by the FBI.
As a direct consequence, the owners of these companies would face Migratory restrictions and sanctions related to potential violations of international regulations concerning foreign trade, export control, and funding for illicit activities.
Argentine Exports to Venezuela in 2024
Although the total volume of Argentine exports to Venezuela in 2024 does not carry significant commercial weight compared to other destinations, a recent confidential report we had exclusive access to warns about potential risks to national security and technological proliferation. The analyzed operations involve 338 exporting companies, 64 product categories, and a total amount of USD 363.1 million.
The Findings
So far, the investigations have led to a series of findings:
1. Complexity of the commercial network and proliferation risks:
The exports to Venezuela reflect a complicated and opaque network, where actors with limited or infrequent operations might be concealing sensitive transactions, especially connected to dual-use technology.
2. Diversity of products and sensitive industrial sectors:
Even though the volume is not high, the diversity and recurrence in certain areas justify a detailed analysis. The exports cover sectors that could be used for strategic purposes by the Venezuelan regime.
3. Companies under scrutiny for atypical operations:
Cases like Watson Michael Alexander, Global Fresh S.A., and Gier S.R.L., which made one or two unique transactions, raise suspicions due to their low volume but potential specific targets. The dispersion among multiple actors complicates the immediate detection of illicit patterns.
4. Tecnonuclear S.A.: a critical case
The report highlights Tecnonuclear S.A. as a cause for special concern. With 145 registered operations towards Venezuela, the nature of its exports —possibly associated with nuclear or radiological materials, equipment, or technology— demands urgent investigation. Their name and sector imply evident risks to regional and international security.
Tecnonuclear S.A. is an Argentine company with over 30 years of experience in the field of nuclear medicine. Founded in 1992, its headquarters is located in Buenos Aires, specializing in the research, development, production, and marketing of radiopharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical products aimed at diagnosing and treating various pathologies, primarily in nuclear medicine, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and magnetic resonance. Its origins are linked to the technical and commercial expertise acquired by its founders over years of work at the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) in Argentina, allowing it to position itself as a key player in the Argentine market, supplying approximately 60-70% of diagnostic and treatment services in the country.
The company operates under strict quality standards, regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) and the National Administration of Drugs, Foods, and Medical Technology (ANMAT).
Among its products are:
- Mo-99/Tc-99m generators;
- diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals;
- therapeutic agents such as Lutetium-177 (used in precision therapies like theranostics); and
- kits for labeling with Gallium-68, such as 68Ga-PSMA for prostate cancer diagnosis.
In 2012, Tecnonuclear began constructing a new plant to enhance its technological and production capacity, and in January 2022 was fully acquired by Eckert & Ziegler, a leading German isotopes technology company, which strengthens its international projection.
Tecnonuclear’s Relationship with Venezuela
Tecnonuclear S.A. has a commercial relationship with Venezuela as part of its international expansion. The company exports its products to various countries in Latin America, including Venezuela, as well as Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Guatemala, and Ecuador. This exporting activity focuses on supplying radiopharmaceuticals and other products for diagnosis and treatment in nuclear medicine, benefiting the health systems of these countries. Details regarding exact export volumes to Venezuela are not specified in the available information, but it is highlighted that Venezuela is part of the markets served by Tecnonuclear for years.
Beyond the commercial aspect, there is no concrete evidence of a strategic or technological relationship between Tecnonuclear S.A. and Venezuela that extends beyond its role as a product supplier. In the past, there have been speculations about alleged nuclear agreements between Argentina and Venezuela (such as the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding to explore the installation of a CAREM-type reactor), but these projects did not advance, and there are no indications that Tecnonuclear was directly involved in them, as its focus is nuclear medicine and not large-scale nuclear energy, which falls under the purview of entities like CNEA or INVAP.
In summary, the relationship of Tecnonuclear S.A. with Venezuela primarily revolves around the export of nuclear medicine products as part of its international commercial strategy, without signs of a deeper or more controversial collaboration in the nuclear field. Its acquisition by Eckert & Ziegler could further enhance its presence in markets like Venezuela, although the economic and political conditions in Venezuela could affect the continuity or scale of these operations.
Government Measures
Measures to be adopted include:
- Information exchange with international organizations and cooperation with U.S. authorities to mitigate risks.
- Increased customs control over exports to sensitive destinations.
- Periodic audits of companies operating in strategic sectors.
- Thorough review of commercial invoices, customs declarations, and specific authorizations.
Vulnerabilities
The analysis of Argentine exports to Venezuela in 2024 highlights a number of worrying vulnerabilities that could be exploited for activities compromising Argentina’s national security.
The frequency and type of transactions made by companies like Tecnonuclear S.A. could be subject to immediate investigation, for which Argentine authorities will need to rely on international cooperation and strengthen control mechanisms, both crucial components to anticipate and prevent possible scenarios of proliferation and strategic diversion of sensitive materials.
Global Fresh S.A.
Global Fresh S.A. is an Argentine company primarily dedicated to the export of fresh fruits, with a particular focus on citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, and mandarins, as well as other agricultural products like pears and apples. Founded in 2006, it is headquartered in San Miguel de Tucumán, a key region for citrus production in Argentina.
The company operates in the international market, exporting to over 30 countries, including destinations in Europe (such as Russia, Spain, and the Netherlands), North America (the United States and Canada), Asia (China, India, and the Philippines), and Latin America. Global Fresh is characterized by managing the entire value chain, from production in its own or associated fields, through packing at its processing plants, to global logistics and distribution. Its operational capacity includes three packing plants with advanced technology, which enables it to process large volumes, such as the 70,000 tons of citrus exported in the 2023 season.
Regarding its relationship with Venezuela, there is no direct or specific evidence linking Global Fresh S.A. with this country in significant commercial or strategic terms. Venezuela is not mentioned as a relevant destination in the export markets listed by the company, which aligns with Venezuela’s economic and political situation that has diminished its capacity as an importer of fresh products in recent years. During the peak of trade between Argentina and Venezuela (2008-2014, under the governments of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Hugo Chávez), bilateral trade reached highs of USD 1.4 billion annually, but was more focused on industrial goods, machinery, and processed foods rather than fresh fruits.
Given the current Venezuelan economy’s reliance on basic imports and currency restrictions, it is unlikely that Global Fresh has an active or significant commercial relationship with Venezuela today.
Gier S.R.L.
Gier S.R.L. is an Argentine company based in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires province, specializing in environmental and logistical services. Founded in 1998, it focuses on industrial waste management, tank and hold cleaning, transportation of general and hazardous cargo, and environmental remediation solutions. It primarily operates in the industrial, port, and energy sectors, serving clients in Argentina, with a focus on the Patagonian region and the petrochemical hub of Bahía Blanca. Its fleet includes tank trucks, skips, and specialized equipment, which allows it to handle complex operations such as hazardous waste transportation and logistics in ports.
Gier also offers environmental consulting services and is certified under ISO standards, reflecting its commitment to quality and sustainability standards.
Regarding its relationship with Venezuela, there is no public information indicating a direct or relevant connection. Gier S.R.L. operates domestically and industrially within Argentina, and its business model does not seem targeted at service export or international markets like Venezuela. During the years of greater bilateral cooperation between Argentina and Venezuela, some Argentine companies in energy or industrial sectors (like INVAP or YPF) explored joint projects, but Gier, with its focus on local environmental and logistical services, does not seem to have participated in such initiatives.
The economic crisis and instability in Venezuela since the mid-2010s also make it unlikely that a company like Gier has established significant operations or commercial ties there.
Relationship with Venezuela: general context
Both companies, Global Fresh S.A. and Gier S.R.L., represent Argentine economic sectors (agro-export and industrial services, respectively) that do not have an evident or documented relationship with Venezuela at present. Historically, trade relations between Argentina and Venezuela were more intense between 2005 and 2015, driven by political agreements between the governments of Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Fernández, and Hugo Chávez, which included Argentine exports of machinery, food, and technology, and the import of Venezuelan fuel.
However, after the Venezuelan economic crisis and a shift in political orientation in Argentina since 2015 (and more markedly with Javier Milei in 2023), trade ties weakened significantly. In July 2024, Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Argentina following disputes over the Venezuelan elections, complicating any current commercial links.
In summary:
Global Fresh S.A.: There are no indications of a commercial relationship with Venezuela. Its focus is on more stable markets that demand fresh fruits.
Gier S.R.L.: Its local operation offering environmental and logistical services does not suggest ties with Venezuela, a country with little demand for such services from Argentina.
Bilater context: Any past relation would have been more likely within the framework of government agreements from a decade ago, but there is no data connecting these companies specifically to Venezuela.
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