View source for Foreign policy of the Hugo Chávez administration

{{Short description|Venezuela's foreign policy during Chávez administration}}
{{Improve lead|date=May 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Politics of Venezuela}}
The '''foreign policy of the Hugo Chávez administration''' concerns the policy initiatives made by [[Venezuela]] under its former [[President of Venezuela|President]], [[Hugo Chávez]], towards other states. Chávez's foreign policy may be roughly divided into that concerned with United States-Venezuela relations and that concerned with Venezuela's relations with other states, particularly those in Latin America and [[developing countries]] on other continents. In many respects the policies of the Chávez government were substantially different from the previous administrations that governed Venezuela.

==Policy==

=== Latin American integration ===
[[File:Kirchner and Chavez.jpg|thumb|upright|Chávez and former Argentina President [[Néstor Kirchner]] discuss energy and trade integration projects for South America. They met on 21 November 2005 in Venezuela.]]

Hugo Chávez refocused Venezuelan [[foreign policy]] on Latin American economic and social integration by enacting bilateral trade and reciprocal aid agreements, including through "oil diplomacy".<ref>''The Economist'', 28 July 2005. [http://www.economist.com/world/la/displaystory.cfm?story_id=4232330 "Using oil to spread revolution"]. Retrieved 11 June 2005.</ref><ref>"Guyana Diary". ''Monthly Newsletter of the Guyana Embassy, Caracas, Venezuela'', February 2004. [http://www.guyana.org/Update/guyana_diary_feb2004.html "Guyana to Try for Better Oil Rates Under Caracas Accord".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306151332/http://www.guyana.org/Update/guyana_diary_feb2004.html |date=6 March 2005 }}  Retrieved 14 June 2006." Under the Caracas Energy Accord, countries can purchase oil supplies on concessional terms. It complements the terms of the San Jose Agreement, through which Venezuela offers special financial conditions to signatory oil-buying countries."</ref> Chávez stated that Venezuela has "a strong oil card to play on the geopolitical stage ... It is a card that we are going to play with toughness against the toughest country in the world, the United States."<ref>{{cite news|last=Blum|first=Justin|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=22 November 2005|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/21/AR2005112101800.html|title=Chavez Pushes Petro-Diplomacy|access-date=29 November 2005}}</ref>

Venezuela worked closely with its neighbors following the 1997 [[Summit of the Americas]] in many areas—particularly energy integration—and championed the [[Organization of American States|OAS]] decision to adopt the [[Inter-American Convention Against Corruption]], also being among the first to ratify it (in 1997). It became a full member of the [[Mercosur]] [[trade bloc]] on 31 July 2012, expanding its involvement in the hemisphere's trade integration prospects. Bilateral trade relationships with other Latin American countries have also played a major role in his policy, with Chávez increasing arms purchases from Brazil, forming oil-for-expertise trade arrangements with Cuba,{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} and initiating [[barter]] arrangements that, among other things, exchange Venezuelan petroleum for cash-strapped [[Argentina]]'s [[meat]] and [[dairy]] products. Chavez's re-election in December 2006 was seen as a boost to Cuba.<ref>O'Keefe, Derrick. [http://www.sevenoaksmag.com/commentary/chavezelectionandcuba.html Regimes unchanged: Chavez's election win strengthens alliance with Cuba.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716171149/http://www.sevenoaksmag.com/commentary/chavezelectionandcuba.html |date=16 July 2007 }} Seven Oaks (4 December 2006). Retrieved 4 December 2006.</ref> According to Stuart Davis, his foreign policy sought to promote [[South–South cooperation|South-South cooperation]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1345216431 |title=Sanctions as War: Anti-Imperialist Perspectives on American Geo-Economic Strategy |date=2023 |publisher= Haymarket Books|isbn=978-1-64259-812-4 |location= |pages=275 |oclc=1345216431 |last1=Davis |first1=Stuart }}</ref>

Chávez sought to develop Latin American relationships through arrangements in which Venezuela could provide oil or financial capital on terms favorable to countries which had also experienced [[colonialism]] and [[neocolonialism]].<ref name=":0222">{{Cite book |last=Cederlöf |first=Gustav |title=The Low-Carbon Contradiction: Energy Transition, Geopolitics, and the Infrastructural State in Cuba |date=2023 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |isbn=978-0-520-39313-4 |series=Critical environments: nature, science, and politics |location=Oakland, California}}</ref>{{Rp|page=131}} For those Latin American leaders who shared his Bolivarian socialist revolutionary vision of change, Evo Morales of Bolivia, [[Daniel Ortega]] of Nicaragua, and the Castros of Cuba, Chávez was a visionary who was able to provide cheap or free oil under the [[Petrocaribe|PetroCaribe]] program.<ref>{{cite web |last=Randall |first=Stephen |title=The Chavez Legacy |url=http://larc.ucalgary.ca/sites/larc.ucalgary.ca/files/dr._stephen_randall_the_chavez_legacy_march_2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021050303/http://larc.ucalgary.ca/sites/larc.ucalgary.ca/files/dr._stephen_randall_the_chavez_legacy_march_2013.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2013 |access-date=17 March 2013 |work=Hot Topics |publisher=Latin American Research Centre, University of Calgary}}</ref>

Chávez viewed Cuba as a key international partner due to its internationalist history including its [[Cuban military internationalism|military interventions]] in southern Africa, and its [[Cuban medical internationalism|medical internationalism]] including the aid it had provided to Venezuela following the [[Vargas tragedy|Vargas landslides]].<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}} In Chávez's view, partnership with Cuba would help raise the profile of Chávez's anti-imperialist political project.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}} In October 2000, Venezuela and Cuba formalized this relationship and started to integrate their respective economies through a Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}}

Partnership with Cuba led to the development of the [[ALBA|Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our Americas]] (ALBA), a regional free trade organization.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}} Venezuelan research center CIECA estimated in September 2008 that Venezuela had given 33 billion dollars to members of the ALBA group since its inception.<ref>{{cite web |title=Offnews.info - Inteligencia y Seguridad, Terrorismo Internacional, Transparencia, Corrupcion, Politica y Economia |url=http://www.offnews.info/verArticulo.php?contenidoID=11896 |access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref> In ALBA, Venezuela supplied oil on the basis of the Caracas Energy Accord.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}} This treaty implemented Chávez's anti-market strategy: Venezuela supplied oil to 11 Caribbean and Central American countries on a long-term, low-interest basis.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}} The Caracas Accord in turn led to the establishment of the [[Petrocaribe|PetroCaribe]] trade organization in 2005.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}}

Venezuela chaired the [[Group of 77]] in 2002.<ref>United Nations, 11 January 2002, [https://www.un.org/apps/news/storyAr.asp?NewsID=2604&Cr=group&Cr1=77 Annan urges 'Group of 77' developing nations to build consensus]</ref>

===2005 UN World Summit===
Chávez summarily denounced the global status quo as a mortal threat to humanity, demanding that a new approach be taken towards satisfying the UN [[Millennium Development Goals]]. He also stated that both [[global warming]] and imminent [[peak oil|hydrocarbon depletion]] were also fundamentally threatening mankind's wellbeing. His speech concluded to loud applause and raucous cheering from attending delegates. On the same trip, he also visited [[the Bronx]] in New York City, and during a speech delivered at a Bronx church on 17 September stated that, notwithstanding any grievances he may have with the Bush administration's foreign policy, he had "fallen in love with the soul of the people of the United States". Later, in October 2005 on his weekly program ''[[Aló Presidente]]'', Chávez stated that recent catastrophes, including hurricanes, droughts, floods, and famines, occurring around the globe were [[Mother Nature]]'s answer to the "world global capitalist model".{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

=== OPEC ===
From the outset of his presidency, Chávez took an active role in the [[OPEC|Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries]] (OPEC), seeking to increase oil prices internationally.<ref name=":0222" />{{Rp|page=131}}

==UN Security Council==
In August 2006, Venezuela was actively seeking the candidacy of non-permanent UN Security Council seat. In the final contest between [[Guatemala]] and Venezuela, Guatemala's candidacy was backed by the United States while Venezuela was courting Africa, the [[Arab League]] and Russia.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5221468.stm Chavez hails Russian arms deals.] BBC News, 27 July 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2008.</ref><ref>Morsbach, Greg. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5205770.stm Chavez tour piques US interest.] BBC News, 24 July 2006.  Accessed 3 April 2008.</ref> When submitting Venezuela's candidacy to the Arab League members, ''[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]'' reports that a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Venezuela "will support our Arab fellows against war and incursion of foreign countries".<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/24/en_pol_art_24A770553.shtml Venezuela approaches Arab League.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221182848/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/24/en_pol_art_24A770553.shtml |date=21 December 2007 }} ''El Universal'', 24 August 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2008.</ref> In the end, the compromise candidate was [[Panama]].{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

==World Tours==
{{Expand section|date=November 2010}}

===2010===
Chavez was scheduled to tour seven states: Russia, Iran, Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Portugal and Belarus. On the tour, he was said to sign a raft of deals including nuclear energy, military supplies such as tanks, and other agricultural deals. In Russia, he would sign an agreement to develop nuclear energy, the purchase of Russian tanks and a bi-national bank. Ukraine and Belarus are both recipients of Venezuelan oil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/10/201010145599596152.html|title=Chavez set to sign deals in Russia|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

==Relations with Latin American and Caribbean states==

===Antigua and Barbuda===

[[Antigua and Barbuda]] enjoys close relations with Venezuela. As of June 2009 it became a formal member of the [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas]] (ALBA) international cooperation organization and the Caribbean oil alliance [[Petrocaribe]].  In 2009 Antigua and Barbuda received US$50 million from Venezuela because of the country's membership of these initiatives. After the American billionaire fraudster [[Allen Stanford]] became embroiled in scandal, Hugo Chávez sent urgent financial assistance to Antigua and Barbuda, which was heavily dependent on Stanford's investment when his business empire collapsed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://guardian.co.tt/business/business/2009/08/18/chavez-aids-antigua-barbuda-after-stanford-fraud-scandal|title=Business|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716201636/http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/business/2009/08/18/chavez-aids-antigua-barbuda-after-stanford-fraud-scandal|archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>

"We have benefited from these relationships and so we will continue to forge these alliances, whether it is with Venezuela, Cuba or whoever else that we feel is in the interest of Antigua and Barbuda and the sub-region", said the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda [[Baldwin Spencer (politician)|Baldwin Spencer]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cananews.net/news/131/ARTICLE/41879/2009-09-12.html |title=NO APOLOGIES: Spencer defends ties with Venezuela |access-date=2009-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218045509/http://www.cananews.net/news/131/ARTICLE/41879/2009-09-12.html |archive-date=18 February 2012}}</ref>

===Argentina===
{{Expand section|date=August 2010}}
In August 2007 a Venezuelan businessman was stopped in Buenos Aires when allegedly trying to smuggle money for the campaign of then first lady and presidential candidate Cristina Fernández de Kirchner on behalf of the Chávez government.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7635318.stm|title=BBC NEWS - Americas - Q&A: Miami smuggled cash case|access-date=27 April 2016|date=25 September 2008}}</ref>

===Chile===
After the death of [[Hugo Chávez]] it was known that on 4 May 2010, during a [[Unasur]] summit in [[Buenos Aires]], Chile's right-wing President [[Sebastián Piñera]] had agreed with him a verbal previously unreleased personal [[non-aggression pact]].<ref>Phillip Durán in Chilean newspaper [[La Tercera]], on 9 March 2013, article [http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2013/03/674-512708-9-el-pacto-de-buenos-aires.shtml El pacto de Buenos Aires] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111905/http://www.latercera.com/noticia/politica/2013/03/674-512708-9-el-pacto-de-buenos-aires.shtml |date=4 March 2016 }}, retrieved on 9 March 2013</ref>

===Colombia===
{{Main|Colombia–Venezuela relations}}
Colombia and Venezuela share a long and heavily populated border.  They are strong commercial partners and have a considerable shared history, reaching back to the colonization of the [[New Kingdom of Granada]] and the formation of [[Gran Colombia]] after Simón Bolívar's liberation campaign. Colombia, which receives millions of dollars for anti-narcotics purposes from the United States as part of [[Plan Colombia]], is governed by a popular rightwing administration.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

One of the first [[diplomatic crisis|impasses]] occurred in late 2004 after the arrest by Venezuelan officials of [[Rodrigo Granda]], a high-ranking representative of the [[FARC]]. Granda was then extradited to Colombia in the border city of [[Cúcuta]] in what was known as the [[Rodrigo Granda affair]]. At the time, Colombian President [[Álvaro Uribe]] condemned what he called Chávez's lack of cooperation in implementing law enforcement actions against the FARC. Chávez responded by temporarily cutting diplomatic and trade ties with Colombia.<ref>BBC News (14 January 2005). [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4176347.stm Venezuela cuts ties with Colombia] Accessed 23 May 2006.</ref> The issue was put to rest in a summit of the two presidents in February 2005.

Chavez also played an important role in mediating with FARC for the release of hostages. He had tried to get FARC's most high-profile hostage [[Íngrid Betancourt]] released, only to come out blaming the Colombians for the lack of momentum in talks. This occurred after Chavez, contrary to an agreement with Uribe, called and spoke directly to the Colombian Army chief of staff General [[Mario Montoya Uribe|Mario Montoya]]. The agreement called for direct talks with just the heads of state.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3901138|title=International News - World News - ABC News|work=ABC News|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref> However, some prisoners, including [[Clara Rojas]] Betancourt's top aide who was kidnapped with her, were then released in highly publicized operations.

Later, the [[2008 Andean diplomatic crisis|Andean crisis]] led to military moves by Venezuela in conjunction with Ecuador after a raid by Colombia on a FARC bases on Ecuadorian-side of the border. After the raid the Colombian army released several documents recovered from a number of laptops seized during the raid, allegedly supporting the existence of links between FARC and Hugo Chávez.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/16/venezuela.colombia1 "Laptop emails link Venezuela to Colombian guerrillas"] article by Rory Carroll in Caracas and Sibylla Brodzinsky in Bogotá, guardian.co.uk, Friday 16 May 2008</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/world/americas/05venez.html "Colombia Is Flashpoint in Chávez's Feud With U.S."] article by Simon Romero in ''[[The New York Times]]'' 5 March 2008</ref> [[Leonel Fernández]], the president of the [[Dominican Republic]], then took the initiative to mend relations.

In September 2009, an agreement between Colombia and the U.S. created new tensions between the two countries. The agreement granted the US military supervised access to Colombian air bases for drug interdiction, but was interpreted by Chavez as threat to his country, and has been used as justification for the purchase of nearly 2 billion dollars in weapons from Russia.<ref name="Chavez in $2bn Russian arms deal">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8253822.stm|title=BBC News - Chavez in $2bn Russian arms deal|access-date=27 April 2016|date=14 September 2009}}</ref>

The [[2010 Colombia–Venezuela diplomatic crisis]] saw a diplomatic stand-off between Colombia and Venezuela over allegations in July 2010 by outgoing President [[Álvaro Uribe]] that the Venezuelan government was actively permitting the Colombian [[FARC]] and [[National Liberation Army (Colombia)|ELN]] guerillas to seek safe haven in its territory. Uribe presented evidence to the [[Organization of American States]] (OAS) allegedly drawn from laptops acquired in Colombia's 2008 raid on a FARC camp in Ecuador, a raid which had sparked the [[2008 Andean diplomatic crisis]]. In response to the allegations Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations, and there was speculation of a possible war. The crisis was resolved after [[Juan Manuel Santos]] was inaugurated as the new President of Colombia on {{Nowrap|7 August}} 2010, with the intervention of [[UNASUR]] bringing together Santos and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. Chávez told the guerillas that there could be no military solution to the [[Colombian conflict (1964–present)|internal Colombia conflict]],<ref>''[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]'', {{Nowrap|8 August}} 2010, [https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100808/wl_afp/venezuelacolombiaguerillaspolitics_20100808183646 Chavez urges Colombian rebels to release all hostages]</ref> and Santos agreed to turn over the disputed laptops to the Ecuadorean government.<ref>''[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]'', {{Nowrap|10 August}} 2010, [https://web.archive.org/web/20130625153505/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jNUNLhuoO90FEB6EcE329fVZRrAA Colombia, Venezuela, leaders expected to renew ties], archived by [[WebCite]] at.</ref> Colombia and Venezuela agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations.

===Brazil===
{{Expand section|date=November 2008}}
[[File:Mercosul-04-jul-2005.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|[[Mercosur]] summit in 2005]]
Venezuela and Brazil have been working together on large-scale regional projects. Both Venezuela and Brazil were seen to be leading an initiative to form the ''Bank of the South'' ([[BancoSur]]), an institution that would pool a portion of participating countries' reserves, and ultimately seeking to replace the [[International Monetary Fund]], as well as its onerous insistence on cutting social and infrastructure programs as conditions for its loans, in return for a more development-friendly approach. Other regional states have also signaled an interest in the project, these include: Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/audits/106150/latin_america's_new_consensus_and_the_end_of_the_monroe_doctrine/|title=Latin America's New Consensus and the end of the Monroe Doctrine|work=Alternet|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

In November 2008 when Venezuela imposed a $282 million tax bill on Brazilian construction giant [[Odebrecht]]. Odebrecht responded that it had already paid its full tax bill for the year and did not need to pay the new bill. Venezuela's [[Seniat]] tax authority gave Odebrecht 15 days to appeal.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0448398920081104 | title=UPDATE 2-Venezuela gives Brazil's Odebrecht $282 mln tax bill | date=4 November 2008 | work=Reuters}}</ref>

===Peru===
In 2001, newly elected Peruvian President [[Alejandro Toledo]]'s suspicion that the Chávez administration was protecting and hiding [[Vladimiro Montesinos]] provoked a major diplomatic confrontation between the two countries. The crisis started when Peru's Interior Minister [[Antonio Ketin Vidal]] blamed [[DISIP|Venezuelan intelligence]] officers of disrupting a secret joint operation by Peruvian and US agents to capture former Peruvian intelligence chief Montesinos.  The [[right-wing]] [[Media of Venezuela|Venezuelan press]] reported the presence of Montesinos in Venezuelan territory months before the capture, although [[José Vicente Rangel]], representing the position of the Venezuelan government, denied his presence and the rumors that suggested that Montesinos was inside Venezuela.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/01/05/int_art_05109AA.shtml Rangel promete extraditar a Montesinos]. ''El Universal (5 January 2001).'' Accessed 1 July 2006.  {{in lang|es}}</ref> An April 2001 article by the journalist [[Patricia Poleo]] (for which she was awarded 2001's "[[King of Spain Journalism Award]]") described firsthand accounts of Montesinos' presence in Venezuela.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/11/21/pol_art_21110AA.shtml 'Si no publicamos las fotos no se desarrolla el caso'.]  ''El Universal (21 November 2001).'' Accessed 1 July 2006.  {{in lang|es}}</ref> [[Venezuelan security forces]] captured Montesinos in June of that year and later deported him to Peru to face charges of [[Political corruption|corruption]], [[bribery]] and [[human rights]] violations. Further diplomatic disputes ensued as Venezuelan security forces claimed most of the credit for finding Montesinos while Peru claimed its own forces and US [[FBI]] agents deserved credit.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1408442.stm | work=BBC News | title=How Montesinos was betrayed | date=26 June 2001 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref> Chávez withdrew his envoy to Peru in response to this affair,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1413366.stm | work=BBC News | title=Chavez angry over Montesinos grab | date=29 June 2001 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref> in part because he accused Peru of having undertaken security operations in Venezuela without previous approval.<ref>Taylor, Robert (Sept 2001).[http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/160.cfm#down Venezuela: Montesinos' Capture.]  ''World Press Review (VOL. 48, No. 9).'' Accessed 1 July 2006. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706041336/http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/160.cfm#down |date=6 July 2006 }}</ref> [[Gustavo Gorriti]], advisor to President Toledo, said that President Chávez had no other option but to order the arrest of Montesinos following the pressure of a lead provided by the FBI after the capture of a former Venezuelan army officer who was withdrawing money from a bank in [[Miami]], allegedly for Montesinos.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/06/26/pol_art_26103AA.shtml 'Lo entregaron para no quedar en evidencia'.] ''El Universal (26 June 2001)''.  Accessed 1 July 2006.  {{in lang|es}}</ref> When Chávez attended Toledo's presidential inauguration, he was called a "dictator" by members of the [[Congress of Peru|Peruvian congress]].<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/07/29/apo_art_29102ZZ.shtml Chávez respondió a la pita de congresistas peruanos.]  ''El Universal (29 July 2001).''  Accessed 1 July 2006.  {{in lang|es}}</ref>

Between January and March 2006, Chávez commented on the candidates of the [[2006 Peruvian Presidential election]], openly backing [[Ollanta Humala]] ([[Union for Peru]], nationalist-left) while referring to [[Alan García]] ([[Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana|APRA]]) as a "thief" and a "crook" and considering [[Lourdes Flores]] a "candidate of the [[oligarchy]]". His support in fact backfired when Alan García used it to attack Ollanta Humala; García won the election.<ref>BBC News. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5045634.stm Peruvians elect Garcia president] Accessed 5 October 2007.</ref> The Peruvian government admonished Chávez for interfering in Peru's affairs. Chávez's comments led the [[Peruvian government]] to state that he was interfering in Peru's affairs in breach of [[international law]]. Both countries recalled their [[ambassador]]s.<ref>BBC News. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4959220.stm Peru recalls Venezuela ambassador.] Accessed 23 May 2006.</ref><ref>BBC News.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4972158.stm Venezuela recalls envoy to Peru.] Accessed 23 May 2006.</ref> Garcia and Chávez reconciled their differences, ending the feud, and relations between Peru and Venezuela were restored. In 2007, normal diplomatic relations were restored,<ref name="ElUniversal20070816">{{Cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/08/16/en_pol_art_venezuelan-aid-to-pe_16A919237.shtml|title=Venezuelan aid to Peru in state of preparedness|access-date=2 September 2007|work=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]|date=16 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411130555/http://english.eluniversal.com/2007/08/16/en_pol_art_venezuelan-aid-to-pe_16A919237.shtml|archive-date=11 April 2008}}</ref> until April 2009 when Peru granted political asylum to Manuel Rosales, an opponent of Chávez and under charges of corruption. This in turn led Venezuela to again recall its diplomat from Peru.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021946.stm|title=Venezuela recalls envoy in Peru|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=28 April 2009 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref> The dispute is ongoing.

Peruvian authorities are currently investigating money transfers totaling $200.000 made from Venezuelan companies to the wife of Peruvian presidential candidate Ollanta Humala<ref>[http://www.adn.es/internacional/20091020/NWS-2928-Fiscalia-Ollanta-Humala-bancarias-investiga.html "EFE/ADN.es - La Fiscalía peruana investiga cuentas bancarias de esposa de Ollanta Humala"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719234653/http://www.adn.es/internacional/20091020/NWS-2928-Fiscalia-Ollanta-Humala-bancarias-investiga.html |date=19 July 2011 }}</ref>

===Mexico===
{{Main|Mexico–Venezuela relations}}
On 10 November 2005, Chávez referenced [[Mexican President]] [[Vicente Fox]] during a speech to supporters in [[Caracas]], saying "the president of a people like the Mexicans lets himself become the puppy dog of the [[US Empire|empire]]" for what he alleged was Fox's support of U.S. trade interests in his promotion of the newly stalled [[FTAA]]. Additionally, on 13 November 2005 episode of his weekly talk show, ''[[Aló Presidente]]'', Chávez stated that the Mexican president was "bleeding from his wounds" and warned Fox not to "mess" with him, lest he "get stung." Fox, upon hearing the remarks, expressed his outrage and threatened to recall the Mexican ambassador to Venezuela if the Chavez did not promptly issue an apology. However, Chávez simply recalled Venezuela's own ambassador to Mexico City, [[Vladimir Villegas]]. The Mexican ambassador to Caracas was recalled the following day.<ref name=BBC/> Although ties between the two countries have been strained, neither country will say that diplomatic ties have been indefinitely severed. Several groups in both Mexico and Venezuela are working to restore the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. In August 2007, each country reinstated her ambassador to the other, restoring full diplomatic relations.<ref name="HeraldTribune20070809">{{Cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/09/america/LA-GEN-Mexico-Venezuela.php|title=Mexico appoints ambassador, mends fences with Venezuela after presidential spat|access-date=2 September 2007|work=[[International Herald Tribune]]|date=9 August 2007}}</ref>

Chávez got into a dispute with Mexican President Vicente Fox over what Chávez alleged was Fox's support of US trade interests. The dispute resulted in a strained diplomatic relationship between the two countries.<ref name=BBC>{{cite news|work=BBC News|date=14 November 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4437024.stm|title=Chavez and Fox recall ambassadors|access-date=14 November 2005}}</ref>

===Ecuador===
As another leftist leader in Latin America, [[Rafael Correa]], also had close ties with Venezuela and Chavez. The strongest show of support for the Ecuadorian leader was during the [[2008 Andean diplomatic crisis|Andean crisis]]. At a time of escalating tensions with Colombia and Uribe's government due to an incursion on Ecudorean sovereignty, Chavez came out strongly in support of the former as he increased tensions on Colombia's other border with Venezuela to deflect the pressure on Ecuador, while supporting them every step of the way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5htqm5A0bbSSTN2xbt-HNS0KmvT7g |title=AFP: Regional tensions rise after Colombia raid into Ecuador |access-date=2008-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309100706/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5htqm5A0bbSSTN2xbt-HNS0KmvT7g |archive-date=9 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/ecuador-follows-chavez-in-deploying-troops-to-colombia-border | work=Fox News | title=Ecuador Follows Chavez in Deploying Troops to Colombia Border | date=3 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/30/AR2007093001042.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Ecuador's Hugo Chávez? | date=1 October 2007 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>

=== Bolivia ===
The strongest support for a Latin America was reserved for [[Evo Morales]]. In 2005 Morales, was said to be receiving funds from Chávez as Bolivia faced a series of strikes and blockades that threatened its stability.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jan/24/venezuela.colombia | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Chávez 'funding turmoil across Bolivia' | date=24 January 2005 | access-date=2 May 2010 | first=Alfonso | last=Daniels}}</ref>

In 2006, Morales said he was uniting with Venezuela in a fight against "[[neoliberalism]] and [[imperialism]]". He agreed to work with Venezuela in sharing information and resources in agriculture, healthcare, education and energy.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4576972.stm | work=BBC News | title=Bolivia 'to join Chavez's fight' | date=3 January 2006 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>

During the [[2008 unrest in Bolivia]], Chavez came out strongly in support of Morales by accusing the US of being behind the agitation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B30990DA2-9FA2-4B25-805F-1B5FCAAA20CD%7D)&language=EN|title=Noticias de Prensa Latina|access-date=27 April 2016}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> in the provinces opposing Morales, where there are also [[secessionist]] demands. After Morales declared the U.S. ambassador, [[Philip Goldberg]], [[persona non-grata]] for supporting the provinces and instigating violence, and the U.S. reciprocated. Chavez in turn ejected the U.S. ambassador in Caracas as well, and recalled the Venezuelan ambassador from Washington, D.C.. In doing so, Chavez said: "They're trying to do here what they were doing in Bolivia. That's enough ... from you, Yankees." He added that Venezuela's ambassador to Washington, Bernardo Alvarez, would return to the U.S. "when there's a new government in the United States."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc11.com/news/17453358/detail.html|title=Bay Area News, Local News, Weather, Traffic, Entertainment, Breaking News|work=NBC Bay Area|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7611705.stm | work=BBC News | title=Chavez acts over US-Bolivia row | date=12 September 2008 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20080912-bolivia-chavez-usa-venezuela-morales-ambassador-oil |title=France 24 &#124; After Bolivia, Chavez turns up the steam on the US &#124; France 24 |access-date=2008-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919042753/http://www.france24.com/en/20080912-bolivia-chavez-usa-venezuela-morales-ambassador-oil |archive-date=19 September 2008}}</ref>

Venezuela donated close to U$80 million that Evo Morales distributed as part of his "Bolivia cambia, Evo cumple" program<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/01/AR2008050101478.html|title=Por Marcela Sanchez - Alianza con Chávez se torna en contra de Morales en Bolivia|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theinternationalpoliticalreview.com/ploughing-the-sea/ |title=The International Political Review |access-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422100021/http://www.theinternationalpoliticalreview.com/ploughing-the-sea/ |archive-date=22 April 2016}}</ref>

=== Paraguay ===
As Paraguay's new leftist [[President of Paraguay|President]] [[Fernando Lugo]] was inaugurated, a change from 61 unbroken years of [[Colorado Party (Paraguay)|Colorado party]] rule, Chavez and Correa were together in the country to support another regional left leader. Chavez tried to woo the president with promises to fill Paraguay's imported oil gap. President Lugo has supported Venezuela's entry into [[Mercosur]]; however, the Colorado Party's influence in Paraguay's Congress and Senate retards this expansion.

[[Stratfor]] also theorized that Chavez was trying to pry Lugo away from Brazil as the two were working on the Itaipu energy partnership. Doing this, they said, would weaken the other South American giant's, Brazil, efforts to extend its influence throughout Latin America.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/s/mcb_southamerica/20080818/wl_mcb_southamerica/paraguayhugowooslugo Paraguay: Hugo woos Lugo</ref> Paraguay and Venezuela restarted negotiations on an unpaid debt of $250 million owed by Paraguayan oil company [[Petropar]] to its counterpart [[Petróleos de Venezuela]] after the Presidents of Paraguay and Venezuela met to deal with the financing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/09/03/en_eco_art_venezuela,-paraguay_03A2697727.shtml |title=El Universal: El UNIVERSAL |access-date=2009-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728033659/http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/09/03/en_eco_art_venezuela,-paraguay_03A2697727.shtml |archive-date=28 July 2013}}</ref>

In September 2009 Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo revoked plans for US troops to hold joint military exercises and development projects. President Lugo referenced strong regional opposition from countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador to the expansion of US military bases in Colombia in his decision. President Hugo Chávez is an outspoken critic of US "imperialism", military activity and expansion in Latin America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/09/20099181720730677.html|title=Paraguay cancels US troops deal|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

===Uruguay===
In August 2009 it was alleged that the Venezuelan government was purchasing thousands of books from a company belonging to the wife of the Uruguayan presidential candidate José Mujica, for nearly 100 times the actual price of the books {{Unreliable source?|date=August 2010}}<ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2010}}[http://diariolasamericas.com/news.php?nid=84303 "Armando Valladares, diariolasamericas.com - Descubren que Hugo Chávez está financiando la campaña del candidato oficialista en Uruguay"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113122314/http://diariolasamericas.com/news.php?nid=84303 |date=13 January 2016 }}</ref>

===Nicaragua===
{{Expand section|date=August 2010}}
Hugo Chávez publicly supported Nicaraguan candidate Daniel Ortega and the left wing [[FSLN]] party in Nicaragua., and offered oil at preferential prices to town mayors belonging to the Sandinista Party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-protest/chavez_solidarity_3642.jsp|title=Hugo Chávez's provocative solidarity|work=openDemocracy|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

===Panama===
In 2004, Hugo Chávez's government (along with [[Cuba]]) suspended diplomatic relations with [[Panama]] and recalled its ambassador, after the Panamanian government refused to extradite a Cuban exile militant and [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent [[Luis Posada Carriles]], claiming his life was in danger if extradited to those countries.<ref name="pardon">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3607146.stm Venezuela envoy to leave Panama], BBC News, August 28, 2004.</ref>

==Relations with the U.S.==
{{Main|United States–Venezuela relations}}
The historically friendly diplomatic relationship between the Venezuela and the United States deteriorated steadily following the election of [[Hugo Chavez]] in Venezuela in 1999. When [[George W. Bush]] became [[President of the United States]] in 2001, relations between the United States and Venezuela grew even more tense. Relations between the two countries have further been degraded after Chavez accused the United States of being behind the 2002 military coup that briefly ousted him from power and hit an all-time low following the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. While in office, President Chávez was highly critical of US economic and [[Foreign policy of the United States|foreign]] policy and often referred to the United States derogatorily as "The Empire". He has referred to President [[George W. Bush]] as a [[devil]], a drunk, a war criminal among others and has referred to President Obama as a "clown" and "shares the same stench as Bush"<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jul/17/venezuela.usa | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Mark | last=Tran | title=Obama no different to McCain, says Chavez | date=17 July 2008}}</ref> The relationship reached a diplomatic low point when Venezuela temporarily froze diplomatic relations with the US for several months after Hugo Chávez expelled the US ambassador to Venezuela in 2008 &ndash;09.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-26-fg-us-venezuela26-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first1=Chris | last1=Kraul | first2=Paul | last2=Richter | title=U.S., Venezuela to restore full diplomatic ties | date=26 June 2009}}</ref>

==Relations with European nations==
===Spain===
{{Main|Spain–Venezuela relations}}
Early during his first term, Chavez visited Spain, which he ostensibly regarded as "the gateway of Venezuela into Europe."<ref name=Mundo>''El Mundo'' [https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1999/octubre/24/nacional/chavez.html "Visita official de Hugo Chavez a España"] (24 October 1999). Retrieved 13 August 2022</ref> Spain was at the time anxious for the safety of the many investments Spanish banks and energy companies held in the country, which Chavez sought to reassure, and the Spanish government attempted to broker some understanding between Venezuela and the Colombian president [[Andres Pastrana]].<ref name=Mundo/> Relations with the Spanish conservative government of [[José María Aznar]] soon soured however, particularly as the prospect of Spanish economic interests in the country deteriorated during the early 2000s, and soon became extremely delicate, as Spain was the second country to recognise the government of [[Pedro Carmona]],<ref>EFE on Saturday 13 April 2002: The Spanish Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the European Council, José María Aznar, yesterday offered Venezuela's provisional president, Pedro Carmona, his "availability and support" in his efforts to ensure the prompt return of democracy to his country, official sources reported.</ref> emerged from the 2002 coup d'état (the US had been the first). Criticism of Aznar emerged within Spain, from the [[Izquierda Unida (Spain)|Izquierda Unida]] party, whose spokesman [[Gaspar Llamazares]] claimed that "the fact that Aznar 'picked up the phone' to Carmona demonstrates his support for the coup".{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} The Chávez government also suggested an alleged support of the Spanish ambassador Manuel Viturro to the government that emerged from the [[2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt]].

Chavez did try to relaunch his relationship with Spain, which he officially visited in 2004 for the first time. Subsequently, with the 2007 change of government in [[Spain]], relations improved ostensibly when the social-democratic Prime Minister [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]] took over, and bilateral agreements were signed for the sale of Spanish ships and military equipment to [[Venezuela]]. However, on 10 November 2007, during the closing ceremony of the [[Ibero-American Summit|17th Ibero-American Summit]] in Chile, a serious incident occurred when Chávez accused the former [[Spanish Prime Minister]], [[José María Aznar]], of having supported the 2002 coup attempt, calling him a "fascist" and a "racist" among other things. Zapatero, the then Spanish Prime Minister, used his time to demand that Chávez "respect" Aznar "because, beyond ideological differences, he is a democratic leader elected by the Spanish people", being repeatedly interrupted at a closed microphone by Chávez, who asked the Spanish Prime Minister to say the same to Aznar. At that point, the [[Juan Carlos I|King of Spain]], who was seated next to Rodríguez Zapatero, shouted at Chávez "[[¿Por qué no te callas?|Why don't you shut up?]]".

This diplomatic incident increased the tension between Spain and the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{cite news|title="¿Por qué no te callas?"|date=10 November 2007|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_7088000/7088936.stm|access-date=11 November 2007}}</ref> In the days that followed, the Spanish government tried to defuse the tension and play down the clash, while Chávez was increasing tensions through repeated statements about the incident, affirming, on 14 November, that "Spanish companies are going to have to start being more accountable and that I am going to keep an eye on them to see what they are doing here, on all the Spanish companies that are in Venezuela",<ref>[http://es. noticias.yahoo.com/efe/20071114/tes-chavez-dice-que-revisara-sus-relacio-3388ffc_2.html "Chávez says he will review relations with Spain and keep an eye on Spanish companies"]</ref> which was seen as a threat to Spanish business interests in Venezuela.

===Russia===
[[File:Vladimir Putin with Hugo Chavez 26 November 2004-5.jpg|thumb|[[Vladimir Putin]] and [[Hugo Chávez]] in Moscow, November 2004]]
{{Main|Russia–Venezuela relations}}
Russian-Venezuelan relations were tightened during the reign of Chavez with energy and military cooperation. The latter led to joint exercises between the two militaries and a visit by a Russian naval ship to Venezuela. Furthermore, Venezuela also acquired billions of dollars of arms from Russia .<ref name="Chavez in $2bn Russian arms deal"/> Following Chavez's two visits to Moscow in July and September 2008, Russian Deputy Prime Minister [[Igor Sechin]] arrived in Venezuela to pave the way for a third meeting within five months between their two presidents. In November 2008, Venezuela and Russia discussed 46 potential cooperation agreements during an Intergovernmental Commission. Venezuelan Vice President [[Ramón Carrizales]] and Sechin reviewed a series of initiatives that Chavez and Russian President Dimitri Medvedev would sign later in the month. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro added to aggressive foreign policy initiatives sought by Chavez in saying that "the unipolar world is collapsing and finishing in all aspects, and the alliance with Russia is part of that effort to build a multipolar world." The two countries discussed the creation of a bi-national investment bank, the opening of a direct air route between Caracas and Moscow, the building of an aluminum plant, the construction of a gas platform off the Venezuelan coast, plans for automobile production, and Venezuela's acquisition of Russian planes and ships. While the two countries also reached agreements on the development of outer space and the use of nuclear energy. Maduro added that the two countries "will develop all what has to do with technology and satellite in the space", while still continuing to work at using nuclear energy with peaceful means to generate alternative energy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/07/content_10321514.htm|title=Venezuela, Russia discuss 46 cooperation projects_English_Xinhua|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100739/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/07/content_10321514.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

Venezuela sought to develop mines at its largest gold deposits with help from Russia. [[Venezuelan Mining Minister]], [[Rodolfo Sanz]], told a Russian delegation that a [[memorandum of understanding]] would be signed with the Russian-owned [[Rusoro]] to operate the [[Las Cristinas]] and [[Brisas]] mine projects with the Venezuelan government. The former, one of Latin America's largest gold projects, was under contract to Canada's [[Crystallex]], which had waited in vain for years for an environmental license to start mining. The minister, however, said the government was taking control of the mine to start work in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/feedarticle/7993587 |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=Removed: News agency feed article |date=9 December 2015 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Further ties were in the offing when Chavez said an agreement for the Humberto Fernandez Moran Nuclear Facility would be signed upon Russian President Medvedev's visit to Venezuela accompanied by a Russian fleet of warships in mid to late-November 2008. Chavez also revealed that Russian nuclear technicians were already at work in Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320618&CategoryId=10718|title=Latin American Herald Tribune - Chavez Says Venezuela and Russia Will Build a Nuclear Reactor in Oil-Rich Zulia|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-date=25 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425111108/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320618&CategoryId=10718|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a Russian [[flotilla]], including the nuclear-powered warship [[Russian battlecruiser Pyotr Velikiy|Peter the Great]], was on its way to the Caribbean for naval exercises with Venezuela, analysts saw the move as a geopolitical response to US support for Georgia following the [[Russo-Georgian War]]. In September 2009, Venezuela became one of three nations worldwide to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as countries independent of Georgia. Russia is one of the other two.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5895PF20090910 | title=Venezuela's Chavez draws closer to Moscow | date=10 September 2009 | work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKTRE58924U20090910 | title=Venezuela's Chavez draws closer to Moscow | date=10 September 2009 | work=Reuters}}</ref> Russian fighter jets have also been sold to Venezuela, while Caracas bought 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles for its military. However, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, [[Sergei Ryabkov]] downplayed the relevance of such moves "It looks like everyone has been accustomed for a long time to our warships being in naval bases and our warplanes in hangars, and thinking it will be like that forever", Ryabkov stated.<ref>[http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-11-14-voa17.cfm Voice of America]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 27 July 2006, Hugo Chávez and Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] announced an agreement in Moscow which enabled the import of military equipment from Russia to Venezuela.<ref>"Year in Review-Chronology" (pp 5-30) in ''Encyclopædia Britannica Almanac 2008''. {{ISBN|978-1-59339-414-1}}.</ref> In October 2010, Chavez visited Russia where he signed a deal to build Venezuela's first nuclear power plant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/10/201010151473529461.html|title=Chavez signs nuclear deal in Russia|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

===Serbia===
On 21 February 2008 Hugo Chávez said that Venezuela will not recognize an independent [[Kosovo]], warning that the southeastern European nation's separation from [[Serbia]] could spark war in the [[Balkans]] and that it could end in a disaster. He said "This cannot be accepted. It's a very dangerous precedent for the entire world.".<ref>[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/21/america/LA-GEN-Venezuela-Kosovo.php Venezuela's Chavez won't recognize independent Kosovo]</ref> He compared the situation with [[separatist]]s in [[Zulia State]] and [[Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia)|Santa Cruz Department]] in [[Bolivia]]. He called Kosovo a region of Serbia which is recognized by history and geography. He attributed the decision of the Kosovars to an imperialist plan to continue weakening countries in the world. Chávez stated that Venezuela supports the position of Russia, that it has the same position as the People's Republic of China and many other countries and he also expressed satisfaction with the position of the [[government of Spain]]. He stated he cannot understand how there are countries that accepted Kosovo's move.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.el-universal.com.mx/notas/484197.html |title=Desconoce Chávez independencia de Kosovo |access-date=25 March 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221032031/http://www.el-universal.com.mx/notas/484197.html |archive-date=21 February 2013 }}</ref>

He accused Washington on 24 March 2008 of trying to "weaken Russia" by supporting independence for Kosovo despite opposition by Serbia and Russia. He called Kosovo's new leader, [[Prime Minister of Kosovo|Prime Minister]] [[Hashim Thaçi]], a "terrorist" put in power by the US, and noted that the former rebel leader's [[nom de guerre]] was "The Snake."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-24-chavez-china_N.htm|title=Chavez: U.S. encouraging Tibet violence - USATODAY.com|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref> Chavez had strongly opposed the [[Kosovo War|NATO intervention in Kosovo]] in 1999 when he first became president.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}

===Netherlands===
In August 2007, Chávez came in conflict with the Netherlands concerning the [[Netherlands Antilles]]. Chávez gave a number of public speeches in which he said that the region ought to be 'freed from [[colonialism]]' and claimed that every piece of land within {{convert|200|nmi|km|-1}} of the Venezuelan coast belongs to Venezuela. Since the Dutch Antilles are positioned {{convert|40|mi|km|0}} off Venezuela, this was interpreted by some Dutch officials as a threat of invasion of Dutch sovereignty, and several political parties requested that the [[Dutch army]] be prepared for war, a [[VVD]] official referring to the Antilles as "the Dutch [[Falklands]]"<ref>[http://www.elsevier.nl/nieuws/politiek/artikel/asp/artnr/164101/rss/true/index.html Elsevier article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070825175857/http://www.elsevier.nl/nieuws/politiek/artikel/asp/artnr/164101/rss/true/index.html |date=25 August 2007 }} {{in lang|nl}}</ref>
while other parties dismissed Chávez' speeches as [[populism]] with no real intention of invading the Dutch Antilles.<ref>[http://www.elsevier.nl/nieuws/buitenland/artikel/asp/artnr/93154/index.html Elsevier article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221637/http://www.elsevier.nl/nieuws/buitenland/artikel/asp/artnr/93154/index.html |date=27 September 2007 }} {{in lang|nl}}</ref> According to [[Radio Netherlands Worldwide]], Chávez was not referring to the [[Netherlands Antilles]] or [[Aruba]] but to the [[Isla Aves]], adding that  "...there is nothing to worry about as far as the Netherlands Antilles are concerned, but that doesn't fit in with the US's publicity campaign. The media leave out all this kind of information and simply report that Venezuela wants to expand its borders and, in doing so, is intent on swallowing up the [[Leeward Islands]].[...] [[The Hague]] knows there is no claim to Aruba or the Netherlands Antilles, and that President Chávez has not made such a claim in any speech".<ref name="RadioNetherlands20070823">{{Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/ven070823|title=Rumours of Venezuelan invasion of Netherlands Antilles |access-date=2 September 2007|publisher=Radio Netherlands|date=23 August 2007|first=Jos|last= De Roo}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom === 
{{Main|United Kingdom–Venezuela relations}}
On 8 February 2006, the [[British Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]] answered a question asked by the [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Colin Burgon]] about the policy of the United Kingdom towards Venezuela, in the [[British House of Commons]]. Blair said: "It is rather important that the government of Venezuela realise that if they want to be respected members of the [[international community]] they should abide by the rules of the international community". Blair also said: "I also have to say with the greatest respect to the president of Venezuela that when he forms an alliance with Cuba I would prefer to see Cuba a proper functioning democracy".<ref name="Chavez rejects 'attack' by Blair">''BBC News'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4695482.stm "Chavez rejects 'attack' by Blair"] (9 February 2006). Retrieved 20 December 2007</ref>

President Chávez replied the following day that Mr. Blair disobeyed international rules when the UK invaded Iraq and called him "a pawn of imperialism" and "the main ally of Hitler (George Bush)"<ref name="Chavez rejects 'attack' by Blair"/>

At the same time Hugo Chávez criticized Tony Blair for his alliance with the United States and the [[Iraq War]] he consolidated a strong partnership with the [[mayor of London]] [[Ken Livingstone]]. In May 2006, Chávez made a private visit to England where he met with Livingstone, but not with Blair. Defending his decision to host a luncheon in honour of Mr. Chávez, Livingstone declared on [[BBC Radio 4]] that "Chávez had been responsible for significant social reforms and called him 'the best news out of Latin America in many years".<ref>'' [[The Observer]]'' [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1774649,00.html "Chavez offers oil to Europe's poor"] (14 May 2006). Accessed 21 December 2007</ref> When a journalist asked President Chávez why he did not meet with the Prime Minister, Chávez said it is a "very silly question"; "It was a private visit. And, if anyone did not know what that meant, they should look it up in a [[Protocol (diplomacy)|protocol]] manual".<ref>''BBC News'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4774167.stm "Fighting US imperialism at City Hall"] (15 May 2006). Retrieved 20 December 2007</ref> Livingstone's trip to Venezuela to sign an agreement to provide cheap oil to the poor inhabitants of London in November 2006 was cancelled because of the [[2006 Venezuelan presidential election|Venezuelan presidential elections]].<ref>''BBC News'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6122524.stm "Mayor's Venezuela trip cancelled"] (6 November 2006). Accessed 20 December 2007</ref>

In February 2007, the agreement between Chávez and Livingstone about the cheap petroleum to London's less well-off was signed. In return, the [[Greater London Authority]] advises Venezuela on [[recycling]], [[waste management]], traffic and reducing [[carbon emissions]]. This deal came under criticism from the [[London Assembly]] [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]].<ref>''BBC News'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6377867.stm "Mayor signs Venezuelan oil deal"] (20 February 2007). Retrieved 20 December 2007</ref> Prices were slashed by 20%; following this, half-price [[bus]] travel became available to Londoners on [[income support]]. Livingstone commented: "This will make it cheaper and easier for people to go about their lives and get the most out of London. The agreement... will also benefit the people of Venezuela, by providing expertise in areas of [[city management]] in which London is a world leader."<ref>''BBC News'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6954898.stm "Oil deal signals lower bus fares"] (20 August 2007). Retrieved 20 December 2007</ref>

===Vatican===
Chávez had a series of disputes with both the Venezuelan Catholic clergy and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] church hierarchies.<ref name=NewTribes>Alford, Deann. (''Christianity Today'', 14 October 2005). But he remains a committed Christian. [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/141/53.0.html "Venezuela to Expel New Tribes Mission"]. Retrieved 9 November 2005.</ref>

On visiting the Vatican in 2006 Chavez had an extraordinarily long meeting with the [[Pope]]. The Pope presented Chávez with a letter detailing the concerns of the [[Holy See]] regarding the condition of the Church in Venezuela. Among the issues most important to the Pope were:
*the freedom of the Holy See to nominate new bishops,
*the preservation of a distinctive Catholic identity at the Church-run University of Santa Rosa in Lima,
*the elimination of religious education from the school curriculum,
*the introduction of public-health programs that undermined the right to life,
*and the need for independence in the Catholic media.

Chavez did offer his assurances that his government would work to ease the tensions that had characterized his relations with the Venezuelan bishops. Among his critics at home was Cardinal [[Rosalio Castillo Lara]], the most outspoken [[prelate]], referring to Chávez as a "paranoid dictator" who had crushed [[democracy in Venezuela]]. In the battle of words that followed, the President, in turn, referred to the critical bishops as "devils" and made a charge against the Catholic hierarchy that the latter were plotting against his government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=44087|title=Missing Page Redirect|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

In a more terse shift Chávez hit out at the Pope during the latter's trip to Brazil, where he said the Roman Catholic Church had purified the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|American Indians]]. This was the first direct confrontation with the head of the church, accusing the [[Pontiff]] of ignoring the "holocaust" that followed [[Christopher Columbus]]'s 1492 landing in the Americas. His exact words were, "With all due respect your Holiness, apologize because there was a real [[genocide]] here and, if we were to deny it, we would be denying our very selves."
Furthermore, Chávez's words came only days after the Venezuelan media interpreted other comments from the Pope as singling out Chávez as a danger to Latin America when he warned of autocrats in the region.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1819661120070519 Reuters] Chavez demands Pope apologize for Indian comments</ref>

==Relations with Asian and Middle Eastern nations==

===China===
{{Main|China–Venezuela relations}}

When Hugo Chávez came to power, trade with China had peaked under $200mn but since then it jumped to nearly $10bn. Chinese officials say that Venezuela has now become the biggest recipient of its investments in Latin America. Venezuela also embarked on a programme of cultural and scientific exchange with China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/chinabuystheworld/2009/08/20098125223767930.html|title=Chavez's 'historic' China strategy|author=Dima Khatib in Caracas|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

In 2008 the governments of Venezuela and the People's Republic of China launched their first joint space satellite, named [[Venesat-1]]. Venezuela's leader Hugo Chávez said the satellite would be a tool of integration for Latin America and the Caribbean regions by saying "This satellite is not for us but for the people of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a further step towards independence", he said, adding that the project would break the mold of "technological illiteracy."<ref>[http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-11878--12-12--.html Venezuela launches first satellite with Chinese technology] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116055522/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-11878--12-12--.html |date=16 January 2009 }} - Caribbean NetNews (Saturday, 1 November 2008)</ref> In September 2008, Chavez visited PR China where he declared himself to be a "Maoist" and touted what he said was Chinese support to counter U.S. domination of world affairs. He also got China to jointly build oil tankers and help Venezuela build a refinery to process heavy crude oil in Venezuela. He similarly hailed China's plans to launch a telecommunications satellite for Venezuela (Venesat-1) on 1 November 2008. While he also established military-technological ties with the acquisition of two squadrons (24) of Chinese-built [[Karakorum-8]] trainer jets and ground radars, signalling a greater Chinese involvement in Latin America.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/52959.html |title='Maoist' Chavez nurtures Venezuelan ties with China on visit &#124; McClatchy Washington Bureau |access-date=2012-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226105006/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/52959.html |archive-date=26 February 2009}}</ref>

In 2009, China entered into a partnership with Venezuela to launch a railway company in Venezuela which will be 40% controlled by the [[China Railways Engineering Corporation]] (CREC) and the remainder by Venezuela. Venezuela outlined the role of the venture as one which would link Venezuela's oil producing regions and agricultural farming areas<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-17995--12-12--.html |title=China and Venezuela sign $7.5 billion railway deal |access-date=31 July 2009 |agency=Reuters |date=31 July 2009 |work=CaribbeanNetNews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611172412/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news%2D17995%2D%2D12%2D12%2D%2D.html |archive-date=11 June 2011 }}</ref>

Oil exports to China are set to increase substantially.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1229348.stm | work=BBC News | title=Timeline: Venezuela | date=11 January 2010 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref> In September 2008 Venezuela signed a series of energy co-operation deals with China with the President of Venezuela stating that oil exports could rise threefold by 2012, to one million barrels a day.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7634871.stm | work=BBC News | title=Venezuela signs Chinese oil deal | date=25 September 2008 | access-date=2 May 2010 | first=Warren | last=Bull}}</ref> In February 2009 Venezuela and China agreed to double their joint investment fund to $12 billion and signed agreements to boost co-operation which include increasing oil exports from Venezuela, China's fourth biggest oil provider. An oil refinery is planned be built in China to handle Venezuelan heavy crude from the Orinoco basin. "It is part of a strategic alliance" Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said, after meeting the visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping who stated that "our co-operation is highly beneficial".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7898809.stm | work=BBC News | title=China and Venezuela boost links | date=19 February 2009 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref> In September 2009 Venezuela announced a new $16bn deal with China to drill for oil in a joint venture with PDVSA to produce 450,000 barrels a day of extra heavy crude. Hugo Chávez stated that "In addition, there will be a flood of technology into the country, with China going to build drilling platforms, oil rigs, railroads, houses."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/09/200991741755683835.html|title=Venezuela-China sign $16bn oil deal|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

===Iran===
{{Main|Iran–Venezuela relations}}
President Chávez developed strong ties with the [[government of Iran]], in particular in the area of energy production, economic, and industrial cooperation.<ref name=alianza>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/21/eco_art_21204AA.shtml VENEZUELA E IRÁN EN CAMINO HACIA UNA 'ALIANZA ESTRATÉGICA'.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518132913/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/21/eco_art_21204AA.shtml |date=18 May 2011 }} ''El Universal (21 May 2001).''  Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> He visited Iran on several occasions, the first time in 2001,<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/18/eco_art_18202GG.shtml Hugo Chávez de visita en Irán hasta el lunes.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518132949/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/05/18/eco_art_18202GG.shtml |date=18 May 2011 }} ''El Universal (18 May 2001).''  Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> when he declared that he came to Iran to "prepare the road for peace, justice, stability and progress for the 21st century".<ref name=alianza/> [[Mohamed Khatami]] also visited Venezuela on three occasions. During his 2005 visit, Chávez awarded him the ''[[Orden del Libertador]]'' and called him a "tireless fighter for all the right causes in the world".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927212304/http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=14704&hl=jatami&s=4a1ae9096a123385575142033afa5b96 Presidente Jatami recibió condecoración Collar de la Orden del Libertador.] ''Radio Nacional de Venezuela'' (1 March 2005). {{in lang|es}}</ref> In May 2006, Chávez expressed his favorable view of the production of nuclear energy in Iran announced by [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] and denied that they had plans to develop [[atomic weapons]].<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/05/21/pol_ava_21A710337.shtml Chávez exige respetar Irán y aclara que no tiene plan nuclear.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518132956/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/05/21/pol_ava_21A710337.shtml |date=18 May 2011 }} ''El Universal (21 May 2006).'' Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> His relationship with Iran and his support of their [[Iranian nuclear program|nuclear program]] created concern for the US administration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_4349000/4349301.stm|title=EE.UU. preocupado por Venezuela|publisher=BBCMundo.com|date=14 March 2005|access-date=1 July 2006|language=es}}</ref>

Chavez paid a two-day visit to Iran, as Iran faced international criticism for its nuclear programme. On Chávez's birthday (28 July), Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented Chavez with Iran's highest honour for "supporting [[Tehran]] in its nuclear standoff with the international community."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Karimi|first1=Nasser|title=Hugo Chavez Receives Iran's Highest Honor|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/30/AR2006073001026.html|access-date=4 November 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=30 July 2006}}</ref>

Chávez pledged that Venezuela would "stay by Iran at any time and under any condition."  Ahmedinejad called Chávez a kindred spirit. "I feel I have met a brother and [[trench]] mate after meeting Chavez."  Chávez said he "admired the Iranian president for 'his wisdom and strength'", saying, "We are with you and with Iran forever. As long as we remain united we will be able to defeat (U.S.) imperialism, but if we are divided they will push us aside."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Karimi|first1=Nasser|title=Iranian Leader Calls Chavez a 'Trench Mate'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/29/AR2006072901132.html|access-date=4 November 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=29 July 2006}}</ref>

Reuters reported that Chávez told the crowd at [[Tehran University]], "If the [[American imperialism|US empire]] succeeds in consolidating its dominance, then the humankind has no future. Therefore, we have to save the humankind and put an end to the US empire".  The reports adds that Chávez strongly criticised [[Israel]] and labeled the [[2006 Lebanon war|2006 Lebanon war offensive]] as "[[fascist]] and [[terrorist]]."  Decorating Chávez with the "[[Higher Medal of the Islamic Republic of Iran]]", Ahmadinejad said, "Mr. Chávez is my brother, he is a friend of the Iranian nation and the people seeking freedom around the world. He works perpetually against the dominant system. He is a worker of [[God]] and servant of the people."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/31/en_pol_art_31A756133.shtml|title=Chávez decorated in Iran; initials cooperation pacts|newspaper=El Universal|date=31 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121034016/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/31/en_pol_art_31A756133.shtml|archive-date=21 January 2007}}</ref>

At a time when Venezuela and Russia were working on nuclear cooperation, the Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology [[Mohammad-Mehdi Zahedi]], headed a delegation to Caracas to hold talks with high-ranking officials in order to follow up on implementation of agreements which had been inked between the two countries in 2006. Additionally, two technical and educational committees for implementing Iran-Venezuela agreements were also set up. The Iranian delegation visited the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research, Caracas Central University, [[Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela)|Simón Bolívar University]], and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mathaba.net/news/?x=611701|title=Iranian delegation in Venezuela|access-date=27 April 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314170529/http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=611701|archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> As of the end of 2008, Iran's beneficence to Venezuela had paid dividends in the form of an Iranian ammunition factory, a car assembly plant, a cement factory and even direct air service between Tehran, Damascus and Caracas courtesy of Iran Air, amongst others.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6113854.html|title=Iran forging ties to Latin America|date=15 November 2008|first=John|last=Kiriakou}}</ref> Beyond the political-military sphere the two countries also pledged to work together academically in the commissioning of a new university programme at the existing, tuition-free [[Bolivarian University]], with a focus on teaching socialist principles and to promote discussion of "[[Socialism of the 21st century|21st century socialism]]." The government of Venezuela said this followed with plans to establish the University of Civilizations under accords recently{{When|date=February 2011}} signed with Iran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyrgyzstannews.net/story/431505|title=Kyrgyzstan News - Venezuela and Iran team up with socialist uni|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034319/http://www.kyrgyzstannews.net/story/431505|archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> During a visit to Iran in 2010, Chavez and Ahmadenijad said they sought to "establish a [[New world order (politics)|new world order]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/10/21/us-foes-seek-new-world-order|title=US foes seek 'new world order'|work=Al Jazeera|date=21 October 2010|access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref>

===Israel===
{{Main|Israel–Venezuela relations}}
Venezuela-Israel relations were traditionally strong. But the relations have soured under the presidency of [[Hugo Chavez]], who has been a fierce critic of Israel. On 3 August 2006 Chávez ordered the Venezuelan [[chargé d'affaires]] to Israel to return from [[Tel Aviv]] to Venezuela, protesting the [[2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict]]. Israel responded by recalling its Israeli ambassador to Venezuela.<ref>[http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/08/04/en_pol_art_04A759315.shtml President Chávez recalls chief of mission to Israel.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518131223/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/08/04/en_pol_art_04A759315.shtml |date=18 May 2011 }} ''El Universal'' (4 August 2006). Retrieved 4 August 2006.</ref><ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/09/en_pol_art_09A762277.shtml Israel is not informed about Venezuela's plans to break off relations.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811223612/http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/08/09/en_pol_art_09A762277.shtml |date=11 August 2006 }} ''El Universal'' (9 August 2006).</ref><ref>Haaretz.com.  [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/747797.html ADL: Chavez comparison of IDF and Hitler is outrageous.] ''Haaretz service'' (8 August 2006).</ref> Chávez responded with statements comparing Israel to [[Hitler]] and describing their actions as a "new [[Holocaust]]", and blamed the United States for their involvement.

In an interview with the news agency [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] in [[Dubai]], Chávez made the first of two controversial statements regarding Israel's treatment of the [[Palestinians]], saying, "They are doing what Hitler did against the Jews."<ref name=MiamiUproar>Shoer-Roth, Daniel. MiamiHerald.com (9 August 2006) [http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15229406.htm Uproar: Chávez equates Nazis, Israelis.] Accessed 9 August 2006.  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060921191320/http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15229406.htm |date=21 September 2006 }}</ref>

Two days later, on his Sunday show ''[[Aló Presidente]]'', he said Israel had "gone mad and is inflicting on the [[Palestinian people|people of Palestine]] and [[Lebanon]] the same thing they have criticized, and with reason: the Holocaust. But this is a new Holocaust" with the help of the United States, which he described as a terrorist country. He went on to say that the United States refuses "to allow the [[United Nations Security Council|[U.N.] Security Council]] to make a decision to halt the genocide Israel is committing against the Palestinian and Lebanese people."<ref name=MiamiUproar/>

Accusations of [[antisemitism]] were leveled against Chavez because of these comments. The US-based [[Anti-Defamation League]] wrote a letter to Chávez, asking him to consider how his statements might affect Venezuela, and the southern area director of the ADL played down the parallels between Israel and [[Nazi Germany]] highlighted by Chavez, accusing him of "distorting history and torturing the truth, as he has done in this case, it is a dangerous exercise which echoes classic anti-Semitic themes."<ref name=MiamiUproar/>

The president of the Miami-based right-wing ''[[Independent Venezuelan-American Citizens]]'', said "That's what you expect from someone who surrounds himself with the dregs of the world. He seeks out terrorists and [[dictator]]s. It's predictable that he wouldn't defend a democratic country like Israel."  Jewish-Venezuelan community leaders in Caracas told ''El Nuevo Herald'' that Chávez's statements created a situation of "fear and discomfort... The president is not the president of a single group but of Venezuelan Jews as well."<ref name=MiamiUproar/> The ''Federation of Israeli Associations of Venezuela'' condemned what they claimed were "attempts to trivialize the Holocaust, the premeditated and systematic extermination of millions of human beings solely because they were Jews ... by comparing it with the current war actions."<ref name=MiamiUproar/>

However, Israel's critics have hailed Chávez's actions.  The vice-chairman of Hezbollah's political council, [[Mahmoud Komati]], called his actions an example for "revolutionaries", and left-wing British MP [[George Galloway]] said that Chávez was a "real leader of the Arab people."<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/08/347043.html Ceasefire now! London demo 5 Aug 2006 – report, pics, audio, video] UK Indymedia (5 August 2006).</ref>

In the wake of the [[2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict]], Venezuela has broken all diplomatic ties with the state of Israel; condemning its actions. On 27 April 2009, Venezuelan foreign minister [[Nicolas Maduro]] met with [[Palestinian National Authority]] foreign affairs minister [[Riyad al-Maliki]] in Caracas, where formal diplomatic relations were established between the two.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

During a visit by Syrian President Bashar Assad to Venezuela in June 2010, Chavez stated accused Israel is of being "the assassin arm of the United States" and that "one day the genocidal state of Israel will be put into its place."<ref>[http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/06/27/2739791/chavez-to-assad-israel-will-be-put-in-its-place Chavez to Assad: Israel will be 'put in its place'], Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), 27 June 2010.</ref>

=== Taiwan ===
{{Main|Taiwan-Venezuela relations}}
Relations with [[Taiwan]], which Venezuela holds no [[diplomatic relations]] since 1974, became strained because of the increasing partnership between the government of Hugo Chávez and the People's Republic of China, affecting Taiwanese businesses and citizens. In 2007, the Venezuelan government decided not to renew visas for five members of Taiwanese commercial representation in Caracas.<ref>''[[International Herald Tribune]]'' [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/18/asia/AS-GEN-Taiwan-Venezuela.php Report: Taiwanese diplomats may have to leave Venezuela] (18 July 2007). Retrieved 19 December 2007</ref>

===Vietnam===

{{Main|Venezuela–Vietnam relations}}
Vietnam and Venezuela set up diplomatic ties in 1989. Since 2006 Vietnam has had an embassy in [[Caracas]] and Venezuela an embassy in [[Hanoi]]. Though bilateral trade was $11.7 million in 2007<ref name="ap-nam">{{Cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkkCD4fkPFweyP2V8SDQJkGOFu8A |title=AFP: Vietnam president hails joint ties in Venezuela visit |access-date=11 November 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310095109/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkkCD4fkPFweyP2V8SDQJkGOFu8A }}</ref> relations show "great potential".<ref>[http://mofa.gov.vn/en/cn_vakv/america/nr040819114210/ns071219132542 Vietnam – Venezuela Relations<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716233824/http://mofa.gov.vn/en/cn_vakv/america/nr040819114210/ns071219132542 |date=16 July 2012 }}</ref> Over the past ten years, the two countries have witnessed new developments in various fields, including politics, economics, culture and society, particularly in the oil and gas industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en/nr040807104143/nr040807105001/ns090304081948|title=- Vietnam-Venezuela relations bear fruit|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref>

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez visited Vietnam in 2006 and since then his government stepped up bilateral relations with the country, which also included receiving the Communist Party General Secretary, [[Nông Đức Mạnh]] in 2007. [[Petróleos de Venezuela]] and [[Petrovietnam]] also announced a number of joint projects following the 2006 visit, including PetroVietnam being given a concession in the [[Orinoco]] basin and an agreement to transport Venezuelan oil to Vietnam, where the two would together build an oil refinery that Vietnam lacks. On the 2006 visit Chavez praised Vietnam's revolutionary history as he attacked the United States for its "imperialist crimes" during the [[Vietnam War]]. On the 2008 visit Triet returned similar comments as he lauded a group of Venezuelans who captured a US soldier during the Vietnam War in an unsuccessful bid to prevent the execution of a Vietnamese revolutionary.<ref name="ap-nam"/> The two leaders also signed a deal for a $200 million joint fund and 15 cooperation projects.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jL1WR-f-SEhFKgCGZTgXb4LzG1hQ |title=AFP: Vietnam and Venezuela set up 200 million dollar joint fund |access-date=11 November 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310025711/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jL1WR-f-SEhFKgCGZTgXb4LzG1hQ }}</ref>

Vietnamese President [[Nguyễn Minh Triết]] arrived in Caracas on 18 November 2008 for a two-day official visit on an invitation from Chávez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/201108/domestic_p.htm|title=Báo Nhân Dân - Phiên bản tiếng Việt - Trang chủ|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-date=12 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912011929/http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/news/201108/domestic_p.htm}}</ref> Triết hailed Vietnam's friendship with Venezuela as he sought to focus on tying up oil and gas deals, including a joint development fund. He said that "We (Vietnamese) are grateful for the support and solidarity that they (Venezuelans) have offered us until now." Triết said.

In March 2008 an agreement was signed to cooperate in tourism between Vietnam and Venezuela. President Nguyễn Minh Triết received the PDVSA's Vice President Asdrubal Chavez and stated that oil and gas cooperation would become a typical example of their multi-faceted cooperation.<ref name=Vietnam2008&ndash;2009/> In 2009 the Venezuelan government approved $46.5 million for an agricultural development project with Vietnam.<ref name=Vietnam2008&ndash;2009>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en/nr040807104143/nr040807105001/ns090330083057|title=Venezuela, Vietnam cooperate in agriculture|publisher=Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref>

==Relations with African nations==

===Libya===
{{Main|Libya–Venezuela relations}}

<!--  Commented out: [[File:Hugo Chávez and Muammar al-Gaddafi.jpg|thumb|190px|right|President Chávez and [[Muammar Gaddafi]]]] -->
President Chávez's first trip to [[Libya]] occurred in 2001 after a personal invitation he received in 1999 from [[Muammar Gaddafi]].<ref>El Universal (4 February 1999). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/1999/02/04/apo_art_04112DD.shtml Invitaciones reacciones e informes.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810044309/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/1999/02/04/apo_art_04112DD.shtml |date=10 August 2011 }} Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> During this short visit, they discussed the international situation, declining oil prices, and [[OPEC]] production levels.<ref>''El Universal'' (28 October 2001). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/10/28/apo_art_28184FF.shtml Libia.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810044328/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/10/28/apo_art_28184FF.shtml |date=10 August 2011 }} Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> [[Felipe Mujica]], leader of the opposition party [[Movement for Socialism (Venezuela)|MAS]], accused Chávez of not reporting his trip to Libya and hiding it under a tour of Europe and Africa.<ref>''El Universal'' (16 October 2001). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/10/16/pol_art_16208DD.shtml Presidente 'trampeó' a la AN, según Mujica.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810044343/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2001/10/16/pol_art_16208DD.shtml |date=10 August 2011 }} Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> In 2004, Muammar al-Gaddafi awarded Chávez in the city of [[Tripoli, Libya|Tripoli]] the "[[Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights]]"<ref name=hege>''El Universal'' (18 May 2006). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/05/18/pol_ava_18A709147.shtml Chávez deja Libia y llama a unirse contra hegemonía de EEUU.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810044353/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2006/05/18/pol_ava_18A709147.shtml |date=10 August 2011 }} Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> and Chávez called him a "friend and brother", affirming they "shared the same social view".<ref>''El Universal'' (25 November 2004). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2004/11/25/pol_art_25188C.shtml Chávez comparte tesis "social" de Gadafi su "amigo y hermano".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810044419/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2004/11/25/pol_art_25188C.shtml |date=10 August 2011 }} Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> In 2006, during Chávez's third visit, the leaders signed a general treaty of economical and cultural cooperation, and Chávez called for a mutual union against "American [[hegemony]]".<ref name=hege/> Venezuela's former ambassador to Libya, [[Julio César Pineda]], said in 2003 that Chávez was "coordinating an anti-American strategy with [[state terrorism|terrorist states]]" following his visit to Libya.<ref>''El Universal'' (21 February 2003). [http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2003/02/21/int_art_21158CC.shtml Diplomático denuncia plan Chávez-Gaddafi.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810044434/http://buscador.eluniversal.com/2003/02/21/int_art_21158CC.shtml |date=10 August 2011 }} Accessed 1 July 2006. {{in lang|es}}</ref> Libya had been moving to repair ties with the United States (by offering compensations for the [[Pan Am Flight 103|Lockerbie bombing]], etc.) at the time that Chávez was setting himself up as South America's leading opponent of the Bush administration.<ref>Williams, Daniel.  [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/15/AR2006051501443.html "Lack of Surprise Greets Word of U.S.-Libya Ties"] ''Washington Post'' (16 May 2006), p. A12.</ref><ref>NBC News. [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12837050 Venezuela's Chavez meets with Gadhafi in Libya: Meeting comes as leaders move on opposite trajectories in U.S. relations.] Associated Press (17 May 2006).</ref> Since the [[2011 Libyan Civil War]], Chávez was outspoken in support of Gaddafi and offered to broker talks between him and the opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chavez-qaddafi-2011-3|title=Hugo Chavez Says Qaddafi Has Agreed To His Peace Proposal|first=Gus|last=Lubin|date=3 March 2011|work=Business Insider|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref> Following Gaddafi's death, Chávez said in a statement "We shall remember Gaddafi our whole lives as a great fighter, a revolutionary and a martyr. They assassinated him. It is another outrage."<ref>{{cite news|title=As it happened: Libya's Col Gaddafi killed|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15387872|access-date=20 October 2011|newspaper=BBC|date=20 October 2011}}</ref>

===Madagascar===
Venezuela and Madagascar established diplomatic ties on 17 November 2008 in a ceremony presided over by [[Reinaldo Bolivar]], Venezuela's vice foreign minister for Africa, and Zina Adrianarivelo-Razifi, Madagascar's ambassador to Venezuela. The two officials signed legally sanctioned the move by signing a joint communique in Caracas. Bolivar said that until 1998, the Venezuelan government had not made an effort to approach African countries, though, since May 2005, Venezuela had started to take the prerogative to deepen political and diplomatic measures with the African continent. In this Venezuela added eleven embassies to the seven that had already existed in Africa. Razafi touched on the common themes Venezuela has made with other newer partners, namely that both suffered colonization and possess similarities in geography and history, as well as the possession of mineral and agriculture resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/18/content_10374925.htm|title=Venezuela, Madagascar establish diplomatic ties _English_Xinhua|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084647/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/18/content_10374925.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

===Zimbabwe===
In 2008, Venezuela and Zimbabwe signed a cooperation deal to strengthen ties in energy, agriculture, economic, social affairs and culture. Venezuela's Deputy Foreign Minister for Africa, Reinaldo Bolivar, said "These agreements reinforce and strengthen relations between the two countries, south-south cooperation and the opportunity to grow and advance together. Zimbabwe is a country with excellent natural resources and very rich in minerals." The Zimbabwean signatory, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Brazil, Thomas Bevuma, added support in saying that "Venezuela provides great assistance to our country through donations made through the World Food Program."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=081120000423.nl9rn6qo.php |title=Africa Asia News |access-date=20 November 2008 |archive-date=12 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212050515/http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=081120000423.nl9rn6qo.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Multilateral relations ==

=== Border disputes ===
Venezuela has longstanding border disputes with [[Colombia]] and [[Guyana]] but sought to resolve them peacefully. Bilateral commissions were established by Venezuela and Colombia to address a range of pending issues, including resolution of the [[maritime boundary]] in the [[Gulf of Venezuela]]. Relations with Guyana are complicated by Venezuela's claim to roughly three-quarters of Guyana's territory. Since 1987, the two countries held exchanges on the boundary under the "good offices" of the United Nations. The most pressing dispute involves Venezuela's claim to all of Guyana west of the [[Essequibo River]]; a maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela is less of a priority. The Chávez administration was making moves to normalize these situations by moving towards repudiating Venezuela's outstanding territorial claims, but said it would review this process after the [[government of Colombia]] announced it was considering allowing the US military to build a base on disputed territory near the current Venezuelan border.

===International Criminal Court===
In March 2009, Chávez criticized the [[International Criminal Court]] for issuing a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President [[Omar al-Bashir]] on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Chávez said that the ICC "has no power to make a decision against a sitting president, but does so because it is an African country, the third world." He asked why the ICC didn't order the arrest of [[George W. Bush]] or of the [[President of Israel]].<ref>China View (31 March 2009) [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/31/content_11107937.htm Chavez opposes arrest warrant for Bashir.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403030724/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/31/content_11107937.htm |date=3 April 2009 }} Accessed 5 April 2009.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Latin American integration]]
* [[Cuba–Venezuela relations]]
* [[Iran–Venezuela relations]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Bibliography ==
* Frisneda, Pedro F. (''UPI'', 5 April 2005). [http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050405-034603-4613r.htm "Deciphering 'The Chavez Code'"]. Retrieved 28 October 2005.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060422004537/http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ga/summit2005/worldsummit050915pm.rm?start=%2202%3A11%3A00%22&end=%2202%3A33%3A30%22 Hugo Chávez's address] to the UN's [[2005 World Summit]]
*[http://en.mercopress.com/2009/05/16/chavez-calls-for-latinamerican-unity-to-ensure-the-regions-freedom Chavez Calls for Latin American Unity to Ensure the Region's "Freedom"] ''Merco Press'', 16 May 2009
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091002051053/http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=79951 Is Venezuela in an Orbit of International Class Struggle?] by Franz J. T. Lee, 19 May 2009
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN0252119420090603?rpc=44= Venezuela Chavez says "Comrade" Obama More Left-Wing] by Reuters, 2 June 2009
*[http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=337616&CategoryId=13303 Like Sucre in Ayacucho!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719153807/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=337616&CategoryId=13303 |date=19 July 2011 }} - Speech by President Hugo Chávez to the 6th Petrocaribe Summit
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131021050303/http://larc.ucalgary.ca/sites/larc.ucalgary.ca/files/dr._stephen_randall_the_chavez_legacy_march_2013.pdf] "The Chavez Legacy" by Stephen J. Randall, Latin American Research Centre, University of Calgary, March 2013
{{Topics related to Hugo Chávez}}
{{Foreign relations of Venezuela}}

<!-- Categories:  alphabetical -->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foreign Policy Of The Hugo Chavez Government}}
[[Category:Foreign relations of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Hugo Chávez]]
[[Category:Foreign policy by government|Chavez, Hugo]]