By Brazil Stock Guide – Brazilian businessman Joesley Batista, founder of J&F Group, made a same-day round trip between Washington and Caracas last Friday to assess Venezuela’s institutional climate under interim president Delcy Rodríguez, according to people familiar with the matter. Batista briefed U.S. officials that he found a scenario of institutional stability and openness to dialogue, the people said. The assessment was also shared with Brazilian authorities.
Flight-tracking data show Batista traveled aboard a Bombardier Global 6000 registered as PS-BJB, owned by a company linked to his brother, José Batista Júnior. The jet departed Washington at 9:58 p.m. on Thursday and landed in Caracas at 2:52 a.m. Friday, local time. After meetings with Venezuelan officials, including Rodríguez, the aircraft departed back to Washington at 10:01 p.m.
According to CNN Brasil, Batista met in Caracas with Rodríguez and senior members of the Venezuelan government to discuss political stability and the country’s economic outlook.
Back-channel diplomacy
Although he holds no formal role, Batista has emerged as an informal facilitator between the administration of Donald Trump and Venezuela’s new authorities. In November, he met with then-president Nicolás Maduro and relayed to Washington that Maduro would not accept proposals to leave power through exile.
According to The Washington Post, a White House source confirmed that the information delivered by Batista after that meeting was taken into account by U.S. officials in subsequent decisions involving Venezuela’s leadership. The episode underscores how unofficial intermediaries continue to shape policy outcomes amid limited formal diplomatic channels.
Stakes and outlook
J&F has no active operations in Venezuela. Still, the group has previously stated interest in investing in the country’s oil fields should conditions allow. Any normalization of dialogue between Washington and Caracas could reshape sanctions policy, capital flows, and energy investment prospects over the coming quarters. Asked to comment, J&F said it would not comment.