Following the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, known for his strident anti-Americanism for more than a decade, the United States is eyeing an opportunity to improve relations with a country that remains a major source for its gargantuan oil needs.
While President Barack Obama issued a guarded statement after Chavez’s death and expressed an interest in developing a “constructive relationship”, his anointed successor Nicolas Maduro appears to have steered clear of falling for any American overtures at this point.
Much to the chagrin of Washington, Vice President Maduro has ordered the expulsion of two US military attaches, accusing them of trying to stir up a plot in the Venezuelan military to destabilize the country. The orders actually came hours before the announcement of Chavez’s death on Tuesday. Maduro had also obliquely blamed the US for his mentor’s illness.
Despite these unhelpful portents, Washington has refrained so far from a tit-for-tat expulsion of Venezuelan counterparts. That apart, indications are that the Obama administration might send a delegation to Chavez’s funeral later this week in a bid to send out a conciliatory message to Venezuela.
In his statement on Chavez’s passing, Obama said that “at this challenging time”, the US “reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government”.
“As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights,” Obama said.
Despite being accused of “some pretty awful things that were pretty outrageous”, a senior State Department official told reporters that it has been “a pretty complicated relationship”, but said that looking forward, the US “would like a productive, more functional relationship with the Venezuelan Government”.