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Useless to engage trade with Venezuela

brown, kristina. "Venezuela joins mercosur: the impact felt around the

americas." http://studentorgs.law.smu.edu/. law and business review of the americas, 2007. web. 5 apr.

2013.

While speaking to the United Nations Assembly in 2006, he[Chavez] said that the greatest threat

looming over our Planet [is] the hegemonic pretention of the U.S. imperialismthat puts at risk the very

survival of humankind itself. In light of his previous opposition to agreements with the United States

and his outspoken distaste for the nation, it was quite safe to assume that Chavez was not pleased with

the new relationships that Peru and Colombia were creating with the United States. Mercosur is viewed

as a threat to U.S. interests in South America, especially because it does not allow its members to sign

FTAs with the United States, and because it is actively recruiting a South American trade bloc that

would unify all the regions nations.79

Not wise to trade with Venezuela

Sullivan, Mark P. "Hugo Chvezs Death: Implications for Venezuela and U.S. Relations."Fas.org.

Congressional Research Service, 8 Mar. 2013. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.

While some observers contend that Chvezs passing and the beginning of anew political era in

Venezuela could ultimately lessen tensions in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, there is no expectation that

this will happen quickly.In fact, State Department officials have cautioned that the upcoming electoral

campaign could delay any forward movement in improving bilateral relations.12 Just hours before

Chvezs death on March 5, Vice President Maduro announced that two U.S. military attachs were

being expelled from Venezuela for reportedly attempting to provoke dissent in the Venezuelan military

and even appeared to blame Chvezs sickness on the United States. State Department officials strongly

denied the Venezuelan charges regarding the attachs, and maintained that they were reviewing

whether to take reciprocal action.13 the forthcoming presidential campaign. Some observers contend

that such anti-Americanism could also be a means for PSUV leaders to mask internal problems within

Chavismo, and even could be utilized going forward as a potential new PSUV government led by Maduro

deals with a deteriorating economy. In terms of Venezuelas foreign policy, observers who believe that

Maduro will win the election maintain that there would be continuity with the policy under President

Chvez,especially since Maduro served as his Foreign Minister for more than six years.

US-Venezuela Relations not going to improve

Labott, Elise. "U.S.-Venezuela Relations Likely to Remain Tense after

Chavez."Http://security.blogs.cnn.com/. CNN, 6 Mar. 2013. Web. 05 Apr. 2013.

Maduro's first news conference, a good portion of which was devoted to railing against the United

States, was not very encouraging. As he prepares to stand in upcoming elections to replace Chavez,

Maduro's anti-American rhetoric is dismissed in the United States as political jockeying to shore up his

political base. This tried-and-true method of using America as straw man worked for Chavez, which is

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why U.S. officials acknowledge that the campaign season not be the best time to break new ground or

expect tangible progress.Officials say they will continue to speak out in favor of a more productive

relationship between the two countries, but the ball, officials say, is firmly in Venezuela's court. "The

opportunities are not there yet for the U.S. to engage" says Carl Meacham of the Center for Strategic

and International Studies. "For the next month or so, Maduro has to show he is even more Chavez than

Chavez was. That means he is going to be more anti-American, more anti-capitalist, more anti-

systemic. As far as a rapprochement, I don't see it coming anytime soon."