ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 22, 2023

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 22, 2023

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Angola Leaves OPEC over Pressure to Curtail Oil Production
• U.S.-Venezuelan Prison Exchange Meets Electoral Commitments
• Argentina’s President Milei Eliminates 300 Economic Rules by Decree, Likely Prompting Protests

Angola Leaves OPEC over Pressure to Curtail Oil Production

Angola has announced that it was leaving the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and would not abide by recent commitments to cut its oil output. While Saudi Arabia has been leading the way with cuts, it also reportedly pressured other members to shoulder the burden of cuts, which led to disagreements. Angola, along with other African oil producers who have been immune from cuts, were reportedly asked to institute cuts. Angola's decision to leave OPEC points to bigger divisions in the organization.

U.S.-Venezuelan Prison Exchange Meets Electoral Commitments

On December 20–21, 2023, the United States and Venezuela completed a prisoner exchange as part of negotiations to lift economic sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for free and fair elections sometime in 2024. U.S. President Joe Biden praised the release as part of October 2023 agreements between the U.S. and Venezuela to lift some economic sanctions for 6–12 months as Venezuela meets criteria to hold free elections in 2024. Recent Venezuelan elections have been marred by widespread fraud by the government of President Nicolas Maduro. The leading opposition candidate, Maria Machado, who independent polling suggests could easily beat Maduro, is currently banned. Her permission to run in the election is a key U.S. requirement that has yet to be met.

Argentina’s President Milei Eliminates 300 Economic Rules by Decree, Likely Prompting Protests

Argentia’s president Javier Milei has eliminated or changed 300 laws by presidential decree. Among the new rules are the elimination of a law regulating rent as well as rules preventing the privatization of state enterprises. There were also deregulatory measures affecting tourism, satellite internet services, pharmaceuticals, mining, and foreign trade. The laws will be assessed for their legality by an independent commission within ten days; however, the prospect of them being overturned is low. While Melei's far-right political party, Libertad Avanza, has little representation in Congress, center-eight parties will likely protect the measures from being overturned by left-leaning parties in Congress.