Vivpost

The relationship between Venezuela and the United States has never been as simple as trade and diplomacy. It influences global oil stability, regional migration patterns, security operations against organized crime, and the wider balance of international alliances. Over the last quarter-century, the partnership has steadily transformed into a prolonged clash. Understanding how it evolved — and what the future may hold — is critical to interpreting the political landscape of the Western Hemisphere. A Look Back: When Venezuela Was a Trusted Partner For most of the 20th century, Venezuela was one of the most dependable oil suppliers to the United States. American refineries were calibrated specifically for Venezuela’s heavy crude, forging a strong energy partnership. Even under shifting governments, trade interests kept diplomacy predictable. That stability began to buckle in 1999. Enter Hugo Chávez With the late Hugo Chávez came a new ideological posture. His “Bolivarian Revolution” emph...