Article written by João Paulo Costa
The possibility of rapprochement between two great enemies of the Americas, the United States and Venezuela, occurs as a consequence of a military dispute distant from Latin Americans, the current war between Russia and Ukraine. When deploying Russian troops to Ukrainian territory, Vladimir Putin used the allegation of a “genocide” in the eastern region committed by “neo-Nazi” troops. Para Volodymyr Zelensky, which received support from other international actors, including the United States, Russian interests go beyond this. By opting for military invasion, Putin sends a message to the adversary: Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, who had been making great strides in Zelensky's administration, will not be tolerated.
to the United States, going directly into a conflict like this would not be advantageous, mainly in view of the economic challenges that the country faces. This can be said on the basis of the annual American national debt. (more of 29 trillion in 2021 according to data from The Balance), high inflation and government spending on infrastructure plans, proposed by Joe Biden. Yet, even though the United States is not directly involved as a belligerent party to the conflict, the country has felt strongly the costs of this war, mainly, the rise in the price of oil.
The fact is that many countries, Russian oil importers for some time, try to find ways to reduce the price of barrels and reduce their dependence on. to the United States, specifically, looking for an alternative to Russian oil is urgent action. According to data from the World Population Review, the US power imported 245,000 barrels of oil from Russia in 2021, which puts the Russians in the third position of the list of the biggest American suppliers. Besides that, the rise in oil prices has affected the North American domestic scenario, with special emphasis on the state of California, where the price of the gallon (3,8 liters) of gasoline reached $5,689 Dollars (R$26,30). Since this situation affects the American citizen's income, the president's popularity ends up being affected (today with on average 52% of disapproval).
It is in this scenario that the US government turns its attention to Venezuela. The approximation between the countries reveals clear political interests of the US government to ensure gains in this scenario of instability in which it finds itself..
It is important to emphasize that Venezuela, for a long time, was seen as one of the main adversaries of the United States in Latin America. Since the government of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela was directly opposed to the US political and economic model. Both Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, current president, they spoke out against American imperialism in the region and in favor of socialist or dictatorial governments. Furthermore, Venezuela is constantly criticized for human rights violations and disregard for international rules. These are just a few examples of points of friction and disagreement between the United States and Venezuela..
In view of the above, the following question arises: what the United States has proposed to resume talks with Venezuela? As part of the initiatives to guarantee the Venezuelan partnership in this area, the US initiated a sanctions reduction policy to encourage increased oil production in Venezuela for up to 1,2 million barrels daily (currently, it's from 788 thousand daily). According to the interview of the head of the Venezuelan Oil Chamber to the BBC, Reinaldo Quintero, Venezuela can increase production in 400 thousand barrels a day to help Russian oil fall in priority.
Contrary to the speech of the member of the Maduro government, energy analyst Jorge Piñon reported in an interview with CNN the fact that Venezuela, today, not having the necessary structure to increase production so abruptly. This is due to the high rate of corruption within the government, the sanctions applied by the USA and the lack of maintenance of the structures, signaling that time is still needed for Venezuelans to expand their production.
Based on the above, it is possible to conclude that the United States seeks, with these attitudes, reduce dependence on Russian resources and, consequently, hinder the presence of Russia on the American continent. American actions demonstrate the United States' relentless willingness to resolve this issue., even if not immediately, but in a hurry to reduce the power of the Russians within their zone of influence on the American continent and to solve part of their internal problems.
[1] He is a student of the ESPM international relations course and a member of the Center for American Studies and Business. (NENAM-ESPM).
The energy crisis and the rapprochement between Biden and Maduro
João Paulo Costa
The possibility of rapprochement between two great enemies of the Americas, the United States and Venezuela, occurs as a consequence of a military dispute distant from Latin Americans, the current war between Russia and Ukraine. When deploying Russian troops to Ukrainian territory, Vladimir Putin used the allegation of a “genocide” in the eastern region committed by “neo-Nazi” troops. Para Volodymyr Zelensky, which received support from other international actors, including the United States, Russian interests go beyond this. By opting for military invasion, Putin sends a message to the adversary: Ukraine's entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, who had been making great strides in Zelensky's administration, will not be tolerated.
to the United States, going directly into a conflict like this would not be advantageous, mainly in view of the economic challenges that the country faces. This can be said on the basis of the annual American national debt. (more of 29 trillion in 2021 according to data from The Balance), high inflation and government spending on infrastructure plans, proposed by Joe Biden. Yet, even though the United States is not directly involved as a belligerent party to the conflict, the country has felt strongly the costs of this war, mainly, the rise in the price of oil.
The fact is that many countries, Russian oil importers for some time, try to find ways to reduce the price of barrels and reduce their dependence on. to the United States, specifically, looking for an alternative to Russian oil is urgent action. According to data from the World Population Review, the US power imported 245,000 barrels of oil from Russia in 2021, which puts the Russians in the third position of the list of the biggest American suppliers. Besides that, the rise in oil prices has affected the North American domestic scenario, with special emphasis on the state of California, where the price of the gallon (3,8 liters) of gasoline reached $5,689 Dollars (R$26,30). Since this situation affects the American citizen's income, the president's popularity ends up being affected (today with on average 52% of disapproval).
It is in this scenario that the US government turns its attention to Venezuela. The approximation between the countries reveals clear political interests of the US government to ensure gains in this scenario of instability in which it finds itself..
It is important to emphasize that Venezuela, for a long time, was seen as one of the main adversaries of the United States in Latin America. Since the government of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela was directly opposed to the US political and economic model. Both Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, current president, they spoke out against American imperialism in the region and in favor of socialist or dictatorial governments. Furthermore, Venezuela is constantly criticized for human rights violations and disregard for international rules. These are just a few examples of points of friction and disagreement between the United States and Venezuela..
In view of the above, the following question arises: what the United States has proposed to resume talks with Venezuela? As part of the initiatives to guarantee the Venezuelan partnership in this area, the US initiated a sanctions reduction policy to encourage increased oil production in Venezuela for up to 1,2 million barrels daily (currently, it's from 788 thousand daily). According to the interview of the head of the Venezuelan Oil Chamber to the BBC, Reinaldo Quintero, Venezuela can increase production in 400 thousand barrels a day to help Russian oil fall in priority.
Contrary to the speech of the member of the Maduro government, energy analyst Jorge Piñon reported in an interview with CNN the fact that Venezuela, today, not having the necessary structure to increase production so abruptly. This is due to the high rate of corruption within the government, the sanctions applied by the USA and the lack of maintenance of the structures, signaling that time is still needed for Venezuelans to expand their production.
Based on the above, it is possible to conclude that the United States seeks, with these attitudes, reduce dependence on Russian resources and, consequently, hinder the presence of Russia on the American continent. American actions demonstrate the United States' relentless willingness to resolve this issue., even if not immediately, but in a hurry to reduce the power of the Russians within their zone of influence on the American continent and to solve part of their internal problems.
[1] He is a student of the ESPM international relations course and a member of the Center for American Studies and Business. (NENAM-ESPM).
