Published April 5th, 2006 by Future Atlas
Venezuela seeks soft power
At the direction of President Hugo Chavez, Venezuela is spending billions to bolster its political influence and image in Latin America and beyond, on everything from samba parades in Brazil to heating oil for Americans.
According to the NYT,
with the biggest oil reserves outside the Middle East, Mr. Chávez is more than an irritant. He is fast rising as the next Fidel Castro, a hero to the masses who is intent on opposing every move the United States makes.
He is aiding the current Castro too, providing Cuba oil at reduced rates.
This is all “to further his dream of unifying Latin America,” according to the article.
Of course, these aid projects can last only as long as oil prices are high.
And, while they can marginally increase the country’s (and Chavez’s) soft power, it is unclear what that soft power could be used for. Venezuela already has Latin American sympathy — and the oil still has to be sold to the United States.