The Impact of The Communist threat on the American Orientation towards Venezuelan until 1961, Documentary Study

Abstract

Venezuela was the richest country in Latin America and a major supplier of oil to the world, making it a focal point for major powers during the Cold War. This was especially true after the United States underwent fundamental changes in the first half of the 20th century, directly linked to the communist threat to the world and the emergence of intense rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States, leading to a bipolar world order. Consequently, the United States considered Venezuela strategically important in its global calculations and a vital area for its national security. This was clearly reflected in its approach and became an integral part of the Soviet-American conflict, particularly as communism began to focus its attention on Latin America, posing a threat to the American economy in Venezuela. The United States' fears of communist expansion intensified, leading it to adopt a policy of supporting friendly regimes or indirectly intervening in their internal affairs by strengthening political and economic ties and supporting governments, especially Venezuela, which was transitioning to democracy.