U.S. Secretary of state John Kerry first held talks with the Venezuelan leader and staunch socialist Nicolas Maduro. From the ideological point of view, it is the loss of the President, known for his tough anti-American rhetoric. However, the warming in relations with Washington needed to Maduro step in the face of economic crisis and rising tide of opposition sentiment.
Kerry and Maduro met on neutral territory — in the Colombian city of Cartagena.
“Politicians have sat on the sofas in the spacious and bright hall of the Cartagena Convention centre and exchanged pleasantries, before journalists were asked to leave the premises — described American edition of Los Angeles Times a meeting of politicians. — The United States is the largest trading partner of Venezuela, however, the relationship at the leadership level have been strained for many years.”
“Kerry expressed concern about the economic and political challenges that have hit millions of Venezuelans, told about the outcome of the negotiations in Cartagena, the official representative of the state Department of the USA John Kirby. He also called on President Maduro to work constructively with the opposition leaders to overcome these difficulties.”
This is the first meeting of US Secretary of state Kerry with the Venezuelan leader and probably the last. Kerry will leave his post with the Obama administration in January 2017.
The fact that Caracas and Washington are not the American and Venezuelan ambassadors, respectively, is a result of harsh anti-American rhetoric, which leads the authorities of Venezuela since 1999. Then the staunch and charismatic leftist Hugo Chavez came to power in the country, choosing a policy of socialism and opposition to the “world capital” led by Washington. It was determined the foreign policy of Venezuela for the last 17 years. Caracas has expanded relations with Cuba and other Latin American countries, “red zone”, as well as with Russia, the successor of the USSR.
Maduro, one of Chavez closest allies, took the reins after he died of cancer in 2013. By the way, the politician was confident that his cancer “has infected” the same us intelligence agencies.
Maduro crossed the line of poverty
The decision to restore diplomatic relations with the U.S., Maduro took not from good life. The mode of Venezuela feels that he is losing power. The economic crisis that over the past three years, it only gets deeper, has led to the growth of opposition sentiment.
80% of Venezuelans now live below the poverty line. This rate exceeds 120%. Due to the oil crisis over the past two years GDP fell by more than half. Queue in Venezuelan stores have become the norm. People are behind everything from toilet paper to the most necessary food.
Even though supporters of Maduro control the work of courts and law enforcement agencies, the opposition in December last year failed to win a majority in Parliament. In the summer she initiated a referendum for a vote of no confidence in the President.
In August the Coalition for democratic unity managed to collect 1 million signatures in support of the initiative. 600 thousand signatures to the electoral Council of Venezuela has rejected. However, the remaining 400 thousand is twice the minimum signatures that allow to register the request on holding a referendum.
In order for the referendum took place, the Venezuelan CEC requires until January 2017 to collect 4 million signatures. Because of the constant bureaucratic obstacles October 12, the opposition promised to hold a Grand protest March against the government Maduro. Judging by the experience of past demonstrations, clashes with police will not be avoided.
Kerry as a symbol
The President of the Institute for strategic assessments Alexander Konovalov believes the negotiations Kerry and Maduro event, “which is encouraging”. “All the same problematic aspect here — Venezuela, — the expert believes. — But in the face of deep political crisis, Maduro is still demonstrated that he is ready to make contact with the United States.”
According to the interlocutor “Газеты.Ru” in the interests of both Caracas and Washington to stabilize the situation in the country and prevent violence.
The United States has repeatedly made it clear that he wanted a gradual transition of power in Venezuela to the opposition, which adheres to right-wing economic views and more positive configured against Washington.
Thus, the meeting with Kerry, Maduro gives a signal to the Venezuelan society, he was willing to make some concessions to the opposition. Today, however, the most important question is, how fast the socialist government is ready to change. Judging by the latest reshuffle in Caracas, Maduro is still not in a hurry and gradually concentrates itself around “security forces” are ready to demonstrate loyalty if the situation gets out of control.
