This in-depth study provides a timely assessment of how the foreign, military, and security policies of Venezuela shape relations with the United States in the Chavez era.
Venezuela has increasingly become a powerful voice in the global community—often standing in opposition to United States foreign policy. Despite the contentious relationship, the two countries have the potential to overcome their differences in favor of mutual interests, including counternarcotics, economic development, and Venezuela's burgeoning position as one of the top oil producing regions in the world.
The growing importance of Venezuela in the global oil market along with the controversial nature of its leadership provoke concern among some world powers—especially the United States, whose international policies have been heavily criticized by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. This critical look at American/Venezuelan relations presents perceptions held by each government of the other and examines the sources of tensions—and points of confluence—between the two countries.
Global Security Watch—Venezuela traces the political relations between the United States and Venezuela from the early roots based in Pan Americanism to the domestic and foreign policies of the Chavez regime, including petro-diplomacy. This book provides a serious examination of the allegations about Venezuelan involvement in the drug trade, terrorism, and intervention; the view that the unilateralism of the United States threatens world peace; and the future of relations between the two countries.
Features
• Primary source documents including key speeches, foreign policy documents, and interviews with prominent politicians
• A detailed chronology of events traces the history of American/Venezuelan relations
• An extensive bibliography listing print, digital, and video resources for further research
Highlights
• Traces the evolution of Venezuela's role as a major oil export nation and key player within OPEC
• Examines the influence of Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution in the Americas
• Reveals the truth behind Venezuela's relations with Iran, arms purchases, connections to terrorism, and the drug trade
• Provides an unprecedented review of Venezuelan foreign relations as it pertains to domestic and international security issues
Daniel Hellinger, PhD, is professor of political science and international relations at Webster University, MO. His published works include Comparative Politics of Latin America: Democracy at Last? and the collection of essays coedited with David Smilde, PhD, Venezuela's Bolivarian Democracy.
Reviews
" ... practitioners and specialists will find the survey of relevant security issues useful. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate, research, and professional collections."—Choice
