[20031209]RS20978_委内瑞拉：政治条件和美国政策.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20978Updated December 9, 2003Venezuela: Political Conditions and U.S. PolicyMark P. SullivanSpecialist in Latin American AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryAfter months of OAS-facilitated negotiations, the government of Hugo Chavez andthe opposition signed an agreement in May 2003 to resolve the political crisis that hasplagued Venezuela for over a year. Implementation of the accord could lead to a recallreferendum for President Chavez in March or April 2004. Some observers emphasizethat the accord is an important step for achieving political stability, while others areskeptical that it will resolve political conflict in the country. Since Chavezs 1998election, Venezuela has undergone enormous political changes, with a new constitutionand revamped political institutions. Chavez remained widely popular until mid-2001,but his popularity eroded significantly after that amid his ineffectiveness in improvingliving conditions and concerns that he has been imposing a leftist agenda on the country. The United States has traditionally had close relatio