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South America and South Atlantic Islands
Venezuela |
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Last reviewed: 6 November 2009 |
Country information
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Relations with Neighbours
Venezuela has no history of armed conflict with its neighbours, but low-key territorial disputes with Guyana and Colombia persist. A bilateral commission with Colombia and a UN Good Offices process, in the case of Guyana, are addressing these issues. Venezuela was invited to join Mercosur in late 2005 and duly accepted in 2006. It is now going through the long process of adaptation and cohesion to the norms and requirements of Mercosur and waiting for the parliaments of existing member states to ratify its membership. As of November 2009, the countries still to ratify Venezuela’s membership are Brazil and Paraguay.
Chávez and President Uribe of Colombia exchanged harsh words in late 2007, following Uribe's decision to end Chávez's formal mediation role to encourage the release of hostages by the Colombian narco-terrorist group the FARC. Relations deteriorated in the first months of 2008. President Chavez ordered military battalions to the border with Colombia in response to a Colombian military incursion into Ecuadorian territory. Following an OAS meeting that situation subsided and diplomatic relations improved. In July 2008, following the success of a Colombian military operation to rescue 15 FARC hostages (including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt), Presidents Chavez and Uribe met in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, with the aim of normalising relations.
Tensions subsequently resumed in July 2009 when it was announced that US military personnel would be permitted use of Colombian bases. In the dispute that followed, Colombia accused the Venezuelan Government of providing arms to the rebel FARC group in Colombia. President Chavez denied the allegations and recalled his Ambassador. He later announced the cessation of economic ties and signed various deals with Argentina to replace Colombian imports. A UNASUR summit held in Argentina in September focussed on the issue. The Venezuelan Ambassador has since returned to Colombia and but tensions remain.
Relations with the International Community
Venezuela is a founder member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In this context, Venezuela is influential on global energy issues. President Chávez is actively pursuing stronger relations with Latin American and Caribbean nations (through initiatives such as Petrocaribe) and major emerging markets such as China, Russia and India.
Relations with the UK
Venezuela and the UK have strong historical links. These date back principally to British involvement in Venezuela's independence struggle and support for both Francisco de Miranda and Simon Bolivar, the 'Liberator', both of whom spent time in London. President Chávez visited the UK as a guest of the British Government in October 2001 and on a private working visit in May 2006.
Venezuela and the UK enjoy a cordial and constructive relationship. An informal UK-Venezuela bilateral action plan was signed by Lord Triesman and Europe Minister Rodrigo Chaves in June 2007, which laid out a framework of cooperation in areas such as Trade and Investment, Drugs and Organised Crime, Security Reform, Energy, Health, Agriculture, Human Rights, Education and Culture and Environment and Climate Change. A further agreement on Counter Narcotics was signed in October 2009 between Latin America Minister Chris Bryant and Head of the Anti-Narcotics Office Colonel Reverol. The UK also has important consular responsibilities to British nationals visiting and resident in Venezuela. The Embassy receives visa applications for Venezuelan and other nationals wishing to visit, study or work in the UK.
The Embassy runs a programme of co-operation projects with the Venezuelan Government and civil society, to further cooperation outlined in the informal bilateral action plan.
Cultural Relations with the UK
The British Council's work in Venezuela covers the arts, English language teaching and education, and administration of the Chevening scholarship programme, which provides funding for Venezuelan students to undertake postgraduate level studies. Since the scheme began in the mid 1980s, more than 300 scholarships have been awarded.
Recent Inward Visits
President Chávez visited the UK in October 2001 accompanied by his Foreign, Health, Energy, and Planning Ministers. The Venezuelan Minister for Energy and Mines visited the UK in 2004.
The President visited the UK again in May 2006 with a full Ministerial team, this time for a private working visit which included meetings with members of parliament and the Mayor of London. A delegation from the Venezuelan National Assembly visited the UK in October 2006 on a visit organised by the British group of the Inter Parliamentary Union.
Europe Minister Rodrigo Chaves visited the UK in June 2007, during which he signed the informal UK-Venezuela bilateral action plan with Lord Triesman. Mr Chaves also visited a number of UK commercial companies in Scotland, with focus on the Scotch Whisky industry, and oil & gas.
Europe Minister Alejandro Fleming visited the UK in October 2009 and met with Foreign & Commonwealth Minister Chris Bryant.
Recent Outward Visits
Chris Bryant, Foreign Office Minister visited Venezuela in October 2009. David Lammy, then Minister for Culture visited Venezuela in May 2007 and Dr Howells, Foreign Office Minister visited Venezuela in October 2006. The then Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell visited Venezuela in December 2004. Lord Levy, the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Latin America, visited in 2003. A delegation organised by the British Group of the Inter Parliamentary Union paid a visit in June 2002.
