Brazil-Venezuela relationship: consequences for the foreign policy and regional integration

• Grant number: 07/02460-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2007
• End date: August 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Political Science - International Politics
• Principal Investigator: Paulo César Souza Manduca
• Grantee: Paulo César Souza Manduca
• Host Institution: Núcleo de Estudos Estratégicos (NEE). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project of research examines aspects and main consequences of the relationship between two of the most important South American countries today. The importance of Brazil is already recognized by its extensive territory and its big economy (the biggest economy and population in the subcontinent), while Venezuela has reached a new status after the oil diplomacy rebirth. This situation has been possible because of the price raise of this commodity in the international market. The bilateral relationship was born with the agreements of La Guzmania in 1994, and practically has been having significant increase lately. Its practical effects can be observed in the dynamics of the border (as well as in the related questions, such as indigene land, mines and environment) and regional integration. Some aspects of this process can be cited: the increase of the economic exchange, the coordinated playing at the AEO and the G20, the increment of the border contacts and Venezuelan adhesion to Mercosul. The Brazil-Venezuela relationship is now extremely complex. Venezuela means at the same time an ally and a competitor. It represents benefits and, it can bring political embarrassment with other countries and domestic public opinion at the same time. However, Venezuela appears as a problem partner for the Brazilian interests in the regional security sector. The leading role of the Venezuelan government, its reactive engagement to the Colombia Plan, its increase program of the Armed Forces and the adoption of a new military doctrine predict a potentially complicated regional scenario. In this field, while Brazil pursues a stable political and economic situation, Venezuela is characterized by promoting exactly the opposite. The study about Brazil-Venezuela relationship is justified for its enormous importance and for the complex meaning that one country represents for the other and what both countries represent for South America. In the same time that it can be affirmed that there is an insignificant number of scientific jobs on this subject, a superficial treatment done by the press is verified. The latter problem can be testified by its caricaturized form of dealing with the Venezuelan president and the regional security subjects. (AU)