Immigration Politics – Cal 2013 – Starter Packet

Venezuela Neg

Venezuela Link UQ

No US-Venezuela engagement – America’s staying out of the transition

Fox News 5-5

[“Obama Says The U.S. Will Not Get Tangled In Venezuela's Politics”, May 5th, 2013, http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2013/05/05/obama-says-us-will-not-get-tangled-in-venezuela-politics/]

President Barack Obama said the U.S. has not and will not get tangled up in Venezuela's political conflict. Commenting in an interview with Spanish-language network Telemundo that's set to air Sunday, Obama said the U.S. hasn't tried "in any way" to interfere with the recent election of Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's president. On Saturday Venezuela's government accused Washington and the Obama administration of being behind violence that has followed its recent presidential election. A foreign ministry statement said that Obama's "fallacious, intemperate and interventionist declaration" will lead toward deteriorating relations between the countries and "confirms to the world the policy of aggression his government maintains against our country." The statement read by Foreign Minister Elias Jaua on state television referred to comments the U.S. president made to Spanish-language television network Univision during his trip to Mexico and Costa Rica. In the interview that aired Friday, Obama wouldn't say if the United States recognizes Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's new president following elections that have been disputed by the opposition. When asked, he replied that it's up to the people of Venezuela to choose their leaders in legitimate elections.

Venezuela 1NC

Congress hates cooperation with Venezuela

Sullivan ‘13

Specialist in Latin American Affairs (Mark P., 01/10, “Venezuela: Issues for Congress,” http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40938.pdf)

U.S. Policy The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil to the United States, but there has been significant friction with the Chávez government. For several years, U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela’s military arms purchases (largely from Russia), its relations with Cuba and Iran, its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries, and the use of Venezuelan territory by Colombian guerrilla and paramilitary forces. Declining Venezuelan cooperation on antidrug and antiterrorism efforts also has been a U.S. concern. Since 2005, Venezuela has been designated annually (by President Bush and President Obama) as a country that has failed to adhere to its international anti-drug obligations. Since 2006, the De partment of State has prohibited the sale of defense articles and services to Venezuela because of lack of cooperation on antiterrorism efforts.

Ext. Venezuela

More evidence – the plan would be perceived as an end-run on a bunch of reforms Congress wants before it engages Venezuela – they’d backlash

Sullivan ‘13

Specialist in Latin American Affairs (Mark P., 01/10, “Venezuela: Issues for Congress,” http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R40938.pdf)

Legislative Initiatives As in past years, there were concerns in the 112 th Congress regarding the state of Venezuela’s democracy and human rights situation and its deepening relations with Iran, and these concerns will likely continue in the 113 th Congress. The 112 th Congress approved H.R. 3783 (P.L. 112- 220), which requires the Administration to conduct an assessment and present “a strategy to address Iran’s growing hostile presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere.” Other initiatives that were not approved include: H.R. 2542, which would have withheld some assistance to the Organization of American States unless that b ody took action to invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter regarding the status of democracy in Venezuela; H.R. 2583, which included a provision prohibiting aid to the government of Venezuela; and H.Res. 247, which would have called on the Secretary of State to designate Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism.

GOP hates the plan

Ros-Lehtinen 13

[Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Florida Republican, is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. “ROS-LEHTINEN: Venezuela after Chavez: What comes next?”, March 14th, 2013, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/14/venezuela-after-chavez-what-comes-next/]

Last year, it was reported that the Obama administration was seeking to exchange ambassadors in an attempt to normalize relations between the countries. The U.S. State Department’s approach was extremely premature, and it, unfortunately, legitimized Mr. Maduro without even questioning whether the Venezuelan Constitution was being upheld. The Obama administration continued to send mixed messages and to undermine the opposition by sending a delegation to attend Chavez’s funeral services last week, alongside enemies of the United States, such as Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Words matter, but actions matter more, and this decision not only sends mixed signals to the people of Venezuela, but reiterates the failed policy of attempting to re-establish diplomatic relations. It is in our best interest if political and economic reforms come to Venezuela, but all signs currently point to the contrary. As the leader of the Chavista movement, Mr. Maduro could potentially be worse for the Venezuelan people and for U.S. national security interests. Mr. Maduro still controls all branches of government, stifles free speech and was indoctrinated with socialist ideology. He has traveled to Tehran and has strong ties with Iran, supports the Assad regime in Syria and has become a lap dog for Cuba’s Castro brothers.

AT//Chavez Death = Engagement’s Popular

Chavez’ death didn’t create an impetus for cooperation – Congress still hates Venezuela

Schultz 13

The International (Kylie, 03/17, “The Rocky U.S.-Venezuela Relationship: What Both Countries Could Learn,” http://www.theinternational.org/articles/370-the-rocky-us-venezuela-relationship-wh)

While the United States sent a representative, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the Obama administration itself offered no condolences. “At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government,” said a statement released by the White House. “As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.” Criticized by many Chavez supporters for its unsympathetic and, some claim, contemptible tone, the White House statement and the reactions it has elicited are representative of the divide between the United States and Venezuela which emerged during Chavez’s presidency. The influence and standing of the United States in Latin America has decreased in recent years as domestic inequality and political polarization in America rise. There seem but few signs that Chavez’s death will spark a shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations. As Venezuela enters into the post-Chavez era with a struggling economy, high inflation, and some of the worst crime rates in the world, why do both countries continue to demonize one another?