Velhos fundamentos, novas estratégias?: petróleo, democracia e a política externa de Hugo Chávez (1999-2010)

Abstract

The Venezuelan foreign policy in the last decade, remarkable for its activism and pursue of autonomy, emerged in a setting marked by the neoliberal crisis and by changes that came about with the end of the Cold War era. The new foreign policy, established by the Chávez regime, is characterized by multiple strategies that encompass geopolitical and a cultural-symbolic dimensions, and aims to achieve a greater international projection for the country. With this purpose in mind, it uses oil resources associated with the new democratic regime promotion. I contend that the particular way in which both elements Democracy and Oil have been articulated by the new Foreign Policy signals a clear break with the trend established during the period of the Punto Fijo Pact. This can be seen more clearly when focusing the new regional integration projects promoted by Venezuela in the Caribbean and Central America basin, a traditional region of influence in the Western hemisphere.