This report discusses the current Congressional issues in relation to Venezuela, including background on the political situation and recent developments, the economic conditions, relevant U.S. policies, and the legislative initiatives in the 111th and 112th Congresses. The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations under the government of populist President Hugo Chávez. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela's military arms purchases, its relations with Cuba and Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries.

This report discusses the current United States relation with Venezuela, including background on the political situation and recent developments, the economic conditions, relevant U.S. policies, and the legislative initiatives in the 111th and 112th Congresses. The United States traditionally has had close relations with Venezuela, a major supplier of foreign oil, but there has been friction in relations under the government of populist President Hugo Chávez. U.S. officials have expressed concerns about human rights, Venezuela's military arms purchases, its relations with Cuba and Iran, and its efforts to export its brand of populism to other Latin American countries.

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "Remembering Disneyland are Mr. and Mrs. Julio Lairet and their daughter Elizabeth Lairet."

Script from the WBAP-TV station in Fort Worth, Texas, covering a news story about six high school band musicians from the town of Cooper flying to Venezuela, to play at a Christmas party thrown by an oil company official in the country who is a fan of their music.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas relating a news story.