A Potential Opening for U.S.-Venezuelan Relations

A recent meeting between the chief diplomats of the United States and Venezuela could signify a gradual end to their countries' estrangement. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elias Jaua and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met on the sidelines of the Organization of American States summit in Guatemala on June 5 — the first time senior officials from the countries have met since 2009. Relations between Venezuela and the United States cooled dramatically in 2002, when Washington publicly supported a coup attempt against former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Caracas continued to antagonize Washington in part because hostile rhetoric proved useful in propagating the nationalist ideology espoused by Chavez.

But Chavez's death in March changed Venezuela fundamentally, and newly elected President Nicolas Maduro is struggling to live up to his predecessor's legacy. For now, economic interests will drive Washington and Caracas to at least talk about resuming diplomatic relations, although several issues will prevent them from reconciling entirely.