Venezuela’s Foreign Policy

Like the last chapter did for Cuba, this section details the history of Venezuela’s relations with the United States and other major countries, highlighting the relatively stable political system and valuable oil reserves which drive its international relations and exceptionalism. With Hugo Chávez’s introduction of Leftist political changes, the relationship between Venezuela and the United States became more tenuous. Chávez and his successor Nicolas Maduro turned to China and Russia in attempts to end dependence on the North American trade market. The third part of this chapter details historic relations with the Soviet Union since 1945 up through the current government, which is supported by modern Russia. As the oil reserves dwindle and opposition to Maduro grows, the nation of Venezuela stands in a precarious position as a test case of the internationalization of conflict that has resulted in a large number of emigrants to the U.S. and neighboring South American nations.