Tagged: Venezuela

According to Proexchangerates, the government of Venezuela is a federal presidential republic, with the president both head of state and head of government. The executive branch is composed of the President, Vice President, the Cabinet, and other bodies such as the National Assembly. The legislative branch is composed of the unicameral National Assembly. The judicial branch is composed of several courts including the Supreme Court and lower courts. The president is elected by popular vote for a six-year term and can be re-elected for one additional term. The president has extensive executive powers including appointing ministers, signing treaties, issuing decrees and laws, and authorizing foreign loans. The Vice President acts as a deputy to the President in case of his absence or disability. The National Assembly has 167 members which are elected by popular vote to five-year terms. It has legislative power over all aspects of public policy including taxation, budgeting, public works, foreign relations, defense and security issues, social welfare programs and education. Venezuela’s judicial system consists of a Supreme Court with 32 members appointed by the National Assembly for 12-year terms; lower courts; military tribunals; special tribunals for certain cases; local courts in each state; district prosecutors’ offices; public defenders’ offices; labor tribunals for labor disputes; administrative courts for adjudicating disputes between individuals and government agencies; and an ombudsman to investigate complaints against government officials or agencies. Venezuela also maintains its own armed forces consisting of an army, navy, air force and national guard with an estimated strength of about 250 thousand personnel in 2019. The foreign relations of Venezuela are characterized by a strong focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as an emphasis on multilateralism and international solidarity. Venezuela has long been an advocate for regional integration and is a founding member of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA), Petrocaribe, Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). The country has also sought to strengthen its ties with other countries in the Global South through organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement, G20, Group of 77 and ALBA-TCP. Venezuela’s relations with other states have at times been strained due to its differences in foreign policy. This is particularly true in regards to its relations with the United States which have been consistently hostile since Hugo Chavez took office in 1999. Despite this, Venezuela maintains diplomatic relations with more than 140 countries around the world. Venezuela’s foreign policy is primarily aimed at promoting regional integration and solidarity, as well as defending its national sovereignty from external interference. In this regard it has sought to strengthen economic ties with other countries in the region through initiatives such as Petrocaribe which provides oil at preferential terms to many Caribbean nations. It has also taken an active role in several international organizations such as CELAC, ALBA-TCP, UNASUR and G77+China where it seeks to promote regional integration while defending its national interests. Venezuela also places a strong emphasis on international humanitarian aid initiatives by providing financial assistance or sending delegations to areas affected by natural disasters or conflict zones around the world. As part of this effort it has provided assistance to countries such as Haiti following their devastating earthquake in 2010 or supported peace negotiations between Colombia’s government and FARC rebels in 2016. Overall, Venezuela’s foreign policy is focused on promoting regional integration while defending its national sovereignty from external interference. Through initiatives such as Petrocaribe or its participation in various international organizations it seeks to foster relationships with other states while advocating for social justice across Latin America and beyond. See themotorcyclers for Venezuela defense and foreign policy.