US ETF provider applies for first fund on Venezuela after unrest

A US ETF provider has sought permission to launch the first-ever exchange-traded fund trackers with exposure to Venezuela, as the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro led to a rally in local assets last weekend.Vermont-based Teucrium has filed with the US. Securities and Exchange Commission Tuesday for the launch of the Teucrium Venezuela ‌Exposure ETF.

The ETF will track shares and depositary receipts of shares of companies that are either classified as Venezuelan or generate at least 50% of revenue from the South American country, or are located in major trading partners with significant exports to Venezuela.

Teucrium, which has more than $518 million in assets under management, mainly in commodities and crypto, did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment after hours, according to VettaFi’s ETF database.

The local Bursatil stock index has risen more than 70% in dollar terms since Monday, adding to gains since late 2025 on hopes that a post-Maduro Venezuela could pave the way for possible debt restructurings and investments in its vast oil and mineral reserves.

Investors shunned Venezuelan assets as the resource-rich country defaulted on its foreign debts in 2017, under pressure from tough US sanctions.

ETFs have become popular, especially among retail traders, as the rise of low-cost, no-commission brokers like Robinhood and Interactive Brokers make it easier and cheaper to access the market.