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Venezuela and the United States: The Inevitable Reunion
Dialogue, respect, and cooperation are the only path to shared stability and progress.
By Antonio Padrino Quintero
A Historic Relationship That Should Never Have Been Broken
For more than a century, Venezuela and the United States shared a close commercial and diplomatic relationship. Trade, energy cooperation, and cultural exchange connected our nations in ways that benefited both countries. This historic relationship should never have been interrupted.
Baseball: A Cultural Bridge Between Two Nations ⚾
Another deep bond between both countries is baseball, considered Venezuela’s national sport. Introduced in the early twentieth century, largely through the presence of American oil companies, baseball became a shared passion that has united generations of Venezuelans and Americans. Great Venezuelan figures such as Luis Aparicio, Miguel Cabrera, Omar Vizquel, and Félix Hernández have shone in Major League Baseball, bringing Venezuelan talent to stadiums across the United States and becoming living symbols of the cultural connection between our two nations.
For more than a century, baseball has been a common language between Venezuela and the United States, even when politics spoke a different language.
Resuming the Lost Dialogue
Now, after years of tension and missed opportunities, there are signs that both countries are reconnecting. My concern about relations between the United States and Venezuela is not new. On April 20, 2010, I published the article “USA and Venezuela: The Urgent Need for Dialogue” in Aporrea.org, where I pointed out that despite a century of cooperation, political disputes were blocking constructive dialogue.
A Phased Transition and Energy Cooperation
Today we see concrete efforts toward cooperation in a transition planned in stages, initially prioritizing the oil sector, which is key to the economic and energy stability of both countries. The fluid communication and mutual respect between President Donald Trump and President Delcy Rodríguez have helped advance these discussions, demonstrating that even in times of tension, political will can open paths toward progress and stability for the region.
The Human Ties Between Both Nations
Venezuela and the United States share deep human and economic ties. Millions of Venezuelans have built new lives in the United States, contributing to its economy and enriching local communities. These citizens form a human bridge between our two nations that political tensions alone cannot erase.
Reconciliation Must Also Occur Within Venezuela
At the same time, reconciliation must take place within Venezuela itself. Years of polarization have divided families, institutions, and political movements. Many Venezuelans wonder whether the tragic events of January 3 could have been avoided. This question reinforces the need for open dialogue and cooperation, not only between governments but throughout society. In these difficult moments of transition, the unity of all sectors of Venezuelan society—regardless of political affiliation—is essential to achieve the proposed goals and guarantee stability, development, and peace.
The Value of Dialogue
The United States and Venezuela have far more to gain by rebuilding channels of communication than by maintaining walls of mistrust. After years of distance, the time has come for both nations to rediscover the simple power of dialogue and practical cooperation—the foundation that sustained a century of partnership.
Dialogue is not weakness; it is political intelligence. History shows that sooner or later, nations always find ways to meet again.
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About the author:
Antonio Padrino Quintero is an international business consultant and former Venezuelan diplomat in the United States 🇺🇸 and France.🇫🇷
English
