CARACAS, VENEZUELA — If U.S.-Venezuela relations can't get much worse, is there any hope for improvement during President Hugo Chavez's third term? For the United States, which has made it clear it would like to reduce tensions, the answer is entirely up to Chavez.
"We don't want confrontation with Venezuela -- on the contrary," Thomas A. Shannon, U.S. undersecretary of State for Latin America, told reporters in London on Monday. "We've always looked for ways to deepen the dialogue with the government of President Chavez, and our hopes are that, maybe, at this moment he will show a greater interest."
But after thumping challenger Manuel Rosales in Sunday's presidential election, Chavez made insults instead of overtures.
Speaking to a throng outside the presidential palace in Caracas, the capital, Chavez referred to Venezuela's No. 1 crude oil customer as the "empire" and to President Bush as the devil.
"We've taught a lesson in dignity to North American imperialism," said Chavez, who won a third term that starts in February. He has been in power since early 1999.
The U.S. State Department's reaction to Chavez's victory underscored the chill in relations. U.S. officials praised Venezuelan voters on the election but did not congratulate Chavez.
"We commend the Venezuelan people for turning out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote and demonstrating a firm commitment to their constitutional processes," spokesman Eric Watnik said. "We look forward to working with the Venezuelan government on issues of mutual interest."
Why have U.S.-Venezuelan relations sunk so low?
The roots of Chavez's antipathy rest in ideology, bitter history and overarching ambition, analysts say. He is a committed socialist to whom capitalism, free trade and globalization are anathema. He resents the United States' tacit approval -- or orchestration, he alleges -- of a coup attempt against his government in 2002.
Chavez has ambitions of leading the Third World and needs a powerful enemy to galvanize his radical supporters inside and outside Venezuela, said Americo Martin, a Venezuelan political analyst and author.
But for relations to improve, Chavez would have to do more than tone down his rhetoric. The United States is demanding cooperation from Venezuela in fighting drug and human trafficking and in pursuing suspected terrorists.
