Changes

===Relations with the United States===

===Relations with the United States===

[[File:Hugo Chávez on USS Yorktown 2002.jpg|thumb|Hugo Chávez on USS Yorktown, 2002.]]

[[File:Hugo Chávez on USS Yorktown 2002.jpg|thumb|Hugo Chávez on USS Yorktown, 2002.]]

U.S.-Venezuelan relations have been tense in recent years. President Hugo Chávez has continuously defined himself in opposition to the United States, using inflammatory rhetoric to insult President Bush and senior administration officials. For example, in his September 2006 speech to the UN General Assembly, President Chávez called President Bush "the Devil" and other offensive names. The United States continues to seek constructive engagement with the Venezuelan Government, focusing on areas of technical cooperation. Major U.S. interests in Venezuela include promotion of U.S. exports and protection of U.S. investment, preservation of Venezuela's constitutional democracy, closer counter-narcotics cooperation, more vigorous efforts on counterterrorism, and continued access to petroleum.  

U.S.-Venezuelan relations have been tense in recent years. President Hugo Chávez continuously defined himself in opposition to the United States, using inflammatory rhetoric to insult [[President George W. Bush]] and senior administration officials. For example, in his September 2006 speech to the [[UN General Assembly]], President Chávez called President Bush "the Devil" and other offensive names. The [[United States]] continued to seek constructive engagement with the Venezuelan Government, focusing on areas of technical cooperation. Major U.S. interests in Venezuela include promotion of U.S. [[export]]s and protection of U.S. investment, preservation of Venezuela's government, closer counter-[[narcotic]]s cooperation, more vigorous efforts on counterterrorism, and continued access to [[petroleum]] imports from Venezuala.  

U.S.-Venezuelan commercial ties are deep. The United States is Venezuela's most important trading partner, representing about a third of imports and approximately 60 percent of Venezuelan exports. In turn, Venezuela is the United States' third-largest export market in Latin America, purchasing U.S. machinery, transportation equipment, agricultural commodities, and auto parts. Venezuela's opening of its petroleum sector to foreign investment in 1996 created extensive trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies. As a result, Venezuela is one of the top four suppliers of foreign oil to the United States. The Department of State is committed to promoting the interests of U.S. companies in overseas markets. For contact information and a list of government publications, please go to the end of this document.  

U.S.-Venezuelan commercial ties are deep. As of 2006 the United States was Venezuela's most important trading partner, representing about a third of imports and approximately 60 percent of Venezuelan exports. In turn, Venezuela is the United States' third-largest export market in Latin America, purchasing U.S. machinery, transportation equipment, agricultural commodities, and auto parts. Venezuela's opening of its petroleum sector to foreign investment in 1996 created extensive trade and investment opportunities for U.S. companies. As a result, Venezuela became one of the top four suppliers of foreign [[oil]] to the United States. The [[US Department of State]] is committed to promoting the interests of U.S. companies in overseas markets.

Venezuela is a minor source country for opium poppy and coca but a major transit country for cocaine and heroin. Money laundering and judicial corruption are major concerns. In 2004 and early 2005, counternarcotics cooperation between the U.S. and Venezuela deteriorated significantly. In March 2005, the Venezuelan National Guard removed its highly experienced members from the U.S.-supported Prosecutor's Drug Task Force. In August 2005, the Government of Venezuela accused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of espionage and terminated cooperation with the DEA pending negotiation of a new cooperation agreement, which has gone unsigned as of October 2006. President Bush decertified Venezuela on counternarcotics cooperation in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  

Venezuela is a minor source country for [[opium]] poppy and coca but a major transit country for [[cocaine]] and [[heroin]]. [[Money laundering]] and [[judicial]] [[corruption]] are major concerns. In 2004 and early 2005, counternarcotics cooperation between the U.S. and Venezuela deteriorated significantly. In March 2005, the Venezuelan National Guard removed its highly experienced members from the U.S.-supported Prosecutor's Drug Task Force. In August 2005, the Government of Venezuela accused the U.S. [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) of [[espionage]] and terminated cooperation with the DEA pending negotiation of a new cooperation agreement, which was unsigned as of October 2006. President George W. Bush decertified Venezuela on counternarcotics cooperation in 2005, 2006, and 2007.  

In June 2006, Venezuela was listed at Tier 3 status in the State Department's Report on Trafficking in Persons. Tier 3 status indicates a perceived lack of effort to combat human trafficking.  

In June 2006, Venezuela was listed at Tier 3 status in the State Department's Report on Trafficking in Persons. Tier 3 status indicates a perceived lack of effort to combat human trafficking.  

In May 2006, the Secretary of State certified that Venezuela was not fully cooperating with U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. As of October 1, 2006, the United States Government has prohibited arms sales and services to Venezuela.

In May 2006, [[Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice]] certified that Venezuela was not fully cooperating with U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. As of October 1, 2006, the [[United States Government]] prohibited arms sales and services to Venezuela.

Approximately 23,000 U.S. citizens living in Venezuela have registered with the U.S. embassy, an estimated three-quarters of them residing in the Caracas area. An estimated 12,000 U.S. tourists visit Venezuela annually. About 500 U.S. companies are represented in the country.

Approximately 23,000 U.S. citizens living in Venezuela have registered with the U.S. embassy, an estimated three-quarters of them residing in the [[Caracas]] area. An estimated 12,000 U.S. tourists visit Venezuela annually. About 500 U.S. companies are represented in the country.

===[[Islamic Republic of Iran]]'s hands===

===[[Islamic Republic of Iran]]'s hands===