Target: Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State
Goal: Strengthen Venezuela’s economy to make them a stronger ally of the U.S.
The U.S. provides a good deal of military and economic aid around the world. In 2020, the total paid out was around $63 billion with the majority going to bolstering nations’ army training, weapons arsenals, and other military equipment. Funding for aid can depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, incentivizing world leaders, securing international assets for the U.S, and strengthening other countries against unfair aggressors.
Of course there are many who may cringe to know the U.S. has spent over $1 trillion in military aid since 1947. After all, that is a lot for tools designed to move further from world peace. The news reports how this aid perpetuates inner tension in civil wars, conflicts between countries, and mass destruction on a global scale. Sometimes it feels as if there is no solution in sight, but occasionally the good in America’s efforts can be seen. Venezuela is one country to which it started contributing and continues to deserve U.S. support for both our domestic interests and promoting human rights.
Support from the U.S. started with the legitimate election of Interim President Juan Guaido in favor of the tyrannical Nicolas Maduro. The move was in part intended to reestablish a true democracy in the country and return the power to the people. Maduro led a nation of fear which led to disarray and distracted from economic potential. They now need to rebuild a positive economy by moving away from a reputation as a hub for drug production orchestrated by the cartel under Maduro. In 2019, bilateral trade with Venezuela and the U.S. was around $3.2 billion with the U.S. importing mostly crude oil. With oil being a major topic on the world scale, namely during the war against Ukraine, rebuilding their economy and the relationship with Venezuela is very important.
Sign the petition below to press Secretary Blinken to allocate more aid for Venezuela’s economy and human rights efforts.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Blinkin,
The U.S. has done a fairly good job supporting Venezuela the last several years, partly in its role helping strengthen their democracy. As a important economic ally in the past, they arguably deserve a proportionate amount of aid to enable them to continue benefitting themselves and their global partners. Because of issues they face, such as inflation and hunger, and America’s current need to find stable sources for oil, the time is now to revisit the relationship with Venezuela and the aid provide to them.
Venezuelans are experiencing a number of crises that are driving them out of their own country in the tens of thousands and towards places like the U.S. Massive inflation and hunger are just a couple factors making the country inhabitable for its people. Erratic government spending from unstable and corrupt leadership has long plagued Venezuela, and U.S. sanctions as a result have not helped; the opportunity for self-sufficiency has just begun with Interim President Juan Guaido. It is time to reinvest in their stability.
The U.S. needs oil just as Venezuela needs to rebuild its trade relationship with the U.S. Several global factors have driven up petroleum prices, and the debate on whether or not to drill domestically continues to divide the country and stall mutual goals for affordable fuel. Supporting President Guaido in this partnership has the potential to solve a number of immediate and long term issues, especially as the U.S. explores its strategy for renewable energy. Such a move could drive the Venezuelan economy to reduce inflation and improve the cost of living for its citizens. In the meantime, America can bolster its support in the form of food and potable water to sustain the country while they rebuild.
Maintaining solid relationship with Venezuela is already a familiar and viable economic play for U.S. and has much potential to be mutually beneficial. It is dire that you start allocating more aid to this country today.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Jesús Naranjo
No! Venezuela is a socialist country. They should be an example of what not to do.