ENTRE LA DESCONFIANZA Y LA RELACIÓN ESPECIAL : Estados Unidos y Venezuela durante la época de Rómulo Betancourt (1958-1964)

The research work analyzes U.S. policy towards Venezuela during the first years of restoration and consolidation of democracy in that country (1958-1964). It pays particular attention to how the Eisenhower administration reacted to the resurgence of a democratic regime in Venezuela after the downfall of the Perez Jimenez dictatorship. It explains why they felt initial suspicions towards the new government and how such misgivings were later overcome. The work also handles Kennedy administration’s all out support for the Betancourt presidency as well as the differences that existed between them, mainly regarding oil policy and the recognition of dictatorships. Generally speaking the work mainly deals with Cold War security policy as well as petroleum issues. The research is based on extensive use of U.S. and Venezuelan published and unpublished documents, as well as interviews to important Venezuelan officials of the times.