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Aug 18 2010
Looking at Geopolitics in Latin American from Venezuela-Columbia Diplomatic Break-off
By
July 22, President Hugo Chavez Venezuela announced to break off diplomatic relations with Columbia. But after the inauguration of the new President of Columbia, Juan Manuel Santos, Venezuela and Columbia had started to normalize diplomatic relations. The incident, though short, attracted wide attention in the United States and other Latin American countries. From this incident, we can see the changes of geopolitics in the region.
The breakoff of diplomatic relations is a result of long-time differences between Venezuela and Columbia.
The United States and ideology were also important factors in this incident. Columbia is the most important U.S. ally in South America. In 2009, Columbia signed a military agreement with the United States to give U.S. the permission to use 7 military bases for anti-terrorism and anti-drug trafficking. This agreement caused dissent among South American countries like Brazil. Chavez was unhappy about Columbia’s decision, thinking it has increased the danger of Venezuela being invaded; so he announced to suspend trade relations with Columbia. This time when announcing to break off diplomatic relations with Columbia, Chavez did not forget to accuse that the United States was the force behind Columbia and threatened to cut off oil supply to the United States if the latter intervened. The close geopolitical and economic ties—Venezuela is an important U.S. oil supplier, while Columbia is the most important U.S. military ally in the region—makes the relationship among the three sides complicated. The anti-U.S. and anti-capitalist ideas of Chavez were opposed to the ideas of Uribe, former President of Columbia. The disharmony between the two leaders intensified the hostility between the two countries.
Important powers in South America such as Brazil and Argentina paid lots of attention to this incident and tried to solve it under the framework of South American regional organization instead of the UN or American organization. Venezuela and Columbia share long historical relations, a long border, and a complementary economy. Today, the influences of the financial crisis have not been fully eliminated, and it is in the interest of both Venezuela and Columbia to normalize their trade and diplomatic relations. It is the national interest that makes up the basis for the Union of South American Nations to play an active role in the mediation. The successful mediation of this crisis by Brazil and Argentina proved that countries and regional organizations in South America are becoming important forces in maintaining peace in the region.
The breakoff of diplomatic relations is a result of long-time differences between Venezuela and Columbia.
The United States and ideology were also important factors in this incident. Columbia is the most important U.S. ally in South America. In 2009, Columbia signed a military agreement with the United States to give U.S. the permission to use 7 military bases for anti-terrorism and anti-drug trafficking. This agreement caused dissent among South American countries like Brazil. Chavez was unhappy about Columbia’s decision, thinking it has increased the danger of Venezuela being invaded; so he announced to suspend trade relations with Columbia. This time when announcing to break off diplomatic relations with Columbia, Chavez did not forget to accuse that the United States was the force behind Columbia and threatened to cut off oil supply to the United States if the latter intervened. The close geopolitical and economic ties—Venezuela is an important U.S. oil supplier, while Columbia is the most important U.S. military ally in the region—makes the relationship among the three sides complicated. The anti-U.S. and anti-capitalist ideas of Chavez were opposed to the ideas of Uribe, former President of Columbia. The disharmony between the two leaders intensified the hostility between the two countries.
Important powers in South America such as Brazil and Argentina paid lots of attention to this incident and tried to solve it under the framework of South American regional organization instead of the UN or American organization. Venezuela and Columbia share long historical relations, a long border, and a complementary economy. Today, the influences of the financial crisis have not been fully eliminated, and it is in the interest of both Venezuela and Columbia to normalize their trade and diplomatic relations. It is the national interest that makes up the basis for the Union of South American Nations to play an active role in the mediation. The successful mediation of this crisis by Brazil and Argentina proved that countries and regional organizations in South America are becoming important forces in maintaining peace in the region.
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