Don't really know if there's a problem here, but the original poster was not asking what it's like to operate a business in Venezuela; the question was about traveling and hanging there, presumably with a motorcycle. That's an arena in which I've got recent experience, while the previous poster, apparently, does not....and I'll almost wager that neither do his business associates, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

Businesspeople in Venezuela (particularly well-off businesspeople) sound a common theme these days: without exception, those I spoke with said something like "Five years ago you could start up a business and pretty soon you'd be buying cars and a house and have everything you needed. Now Hugo Chavez takes it all. I've got a million dollars I'm trying to get out of the country, because it's too risky to invest it here...."

Now, that might not bode well for business, and it might not bode well for the country either, but these are not people who can generally be trusted to give balanced advice on what it's like to visit as a tourist on a motorcycle. They're too busy resenting Hugo and bemoaning the potential loss of what looks to me like a fairly comfortable lifestyle. Note that all this complaining happened over drinks in nice restaurants, or in private homes with hilltop views, or behind large, locked gates manned by security guards. As an overland rider, you're far more likely to spend your time joking with the soldiers at the roadblocks about your resemblance to Che and Fidel, if bearded like myself.

FWIW, I have no direct experience whatsoever conducting business in Venezuela or with Venezuelans. Ask me what it's like to do so and I'll defer to those more knowledgible than I.

Hope that clarifies.

Mark

ex-Venzuela, now in Guatemala (which is not exactly a paradise for businesspeople either, but is a wonderful place to ride a motorycle)