STORY: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Sunday (November 30) that the country's coffee industry has grown to 250,000 hectares despite years of U.S. economic sanctions.

"Sanctions, threats, blockades, economic war, and Venezuelans did not cower," Maduro said during an event honouring coffee producers in Miranda state.

Venezuela has faced sweeping U.S. economic sanctions since 2019, targeting its oil sector and government officials. The Maduro government has repeatedly blamed sanctions for the country's financial difficulties.

According to the Venezuelan government, the country's coffee exports now reach Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe and the United States.

During the event, Maduro presented awards to coffee producers and sampled locally grown coffee while wearing a traditional hat given to him by attendees.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, TALKING DURING EVENT / SOUNDBITES FROM MADURO

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY

SHOWS: MIRANDA, VENEZUELA (NOVEMBER 30, 2025) (VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, HOLDING HAT AND PUTTING ON HAT ON HIS HEAD AND GREETING PEOPLE

2. MADURO PRESENTING AWARD TO COFFEE PRODUCER

3. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

4. MADURO SPEAKING DURING EVENT

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING:

"Sanctions, threats, blockades, economic war, and Venezuelans did not cower. Here, as they say, everyone put on their boots and went to work. And we went from 0 hectares of coffee production, we almost reached, to this year 2025, where 250,000 hectares of coffee are currently planted."

6. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

7. PEOPLE AT EVENT

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING:

“We announce the creation and implementation of the new Coffee University, UNICAFE, designed to ensure the highest level of preparation and scientific quality in coffee production knowledge. It will be located at the San Alejo farm in the Bocono municipality of Trujillo state, covering 15 hectares. (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOTS OF PEOPLE APPLAUDING)”

9. WOMEN APPLAUDING

10. MADURO DRINKING COFFEE