The relationship between the American giant and the republic of Venezuela dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. XIX.
The first diplomatic presence of the United States in the Latin American country occurred in 1824, in Maracaibo, when it belonged to the Greater Colombia.
Some time later, on February 28, 1835, the United States recognized it as an independent nation. Finally, John GSWilliamson, chargé d'affaires of the US government, formally established diplomatic relations between both countries on June 30 of this same year.
Along the history, The United States and Venezuela have signed various trade agreements from which they have mutually benefited.
However, Since the arrival of Hugo Chávez to power, bilateral relations have been characterized by a great deterioration, tightness and tension.
Already in 2010, Caracas and Washington did not have ambassadors, but rather business managers.
The Obama administration revoked the visa of the Venezuelan ambassador, Bernardo Álvarez as compensation for Chávez's refusal to accept Larry Palmer as ambassador-designate.
We are not talking about a breakup, based on bilateral relations, but it is true that this was understood as a wear that has reached the present day.
Revolts and Sanctions Against Maduro
On the other hand, In 2014, there were a series of revolts and sanctions against Maduro, imposed by the Obama Administration on senior Venezuelan officials accused of corruption and violation of Human Rights. This stage fragile, it was that Donald Trump inherited in 2016.
Likewise, Maduro, since coming to power in 2013, has not left aside the radical and anti-American tone that his predecessor, Hugo Chávez, already proclaimed.
Although since he was elected President, his speeches changed direction towards a more conciliatory and favorable character.
Nicolás Maduro, gave Donald Trump an opportunity, extended his hand towards this government declaring that he would do everything in his power for the United States to rectify all the mistakes that were made in the Obama era.
Approach to Washington hindered
However, In 2017, the Venezuelan government suffered two blows that hindered its rapprochement with Washington.
The first came with the imposition of sanctions.
Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami was accused of having close ties to drug trafficking.
The second event occurred three days after said sanctions, when met US officials and Lilian Tintori, Maduro's opponent and wife of a well-known Venezuelan political prisoner, Leopoldo López.
This angered Maduro, who blamed the opposition for making the United States adopt tougher policies and harsher sanctions against the country.
Change in “Soft Power”
Between 2016 and 2017 there was a change in the “soft power*” of the American giant.
This was essential in foreign policy towards Venezuela; However, the Americans began to radically use “hard power”, exemplified by economic sanctions, the direct pressures they exerted or the various economic incentives.
It started with Obama, but Trump has taken over.
In fact, Maduro illegally called the election of the National Constituent Assembly, violating the Venezuelan Constitution and Trump announced that he did not rule out a military intervention in Venezuela.
Currently, the relationship between both countries is very deteriorated.
Venezuela continues to be a piece on the geopolitical board on which the still leader of the world order plays.
Their bilateral relations will be uncertain, and due to all the circumstances that have occurred over time, a threatening future awaits the Latin American State.
* “Soft power” is the ability of a State to incur the actions or interests of other international actors through non-traditional resources (religion, ideology, culture or diplomacy), while “hard power” It falls on the military and economic capabilities of a State to achieve its objectives, through the use of force, economic incentives or direct pressure.
Graduated in International Relations at Loyola University, debater, and multilingual! I speak English, French, and here I go with the fourth language! I am passionate about the field of Security and Defense, and here I am to talk about international issues that concern us all. Do you read me?
