Chavez and his controversial alliances

The rejection of the "imperialist hegemony" and the desire to promote a world "multipolar" led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , to establish during his 14-year rule controversial alliances with leaders of Iran, Syria, Libya and Belarus, some under sanctions international. Loyal to their declarations of friendship, was virtually the only world leader to support the deceased former dictator extreme LibyanMuammar Gaddafi , a "martyr", said overthrown in October 2011 after more than 40 years at the helm of the country, and remained a fierce supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , which he considered a "victim of a fascist onslaught". Just on a visit to his "brother" Al Asad to Caracas in June 2010, Chavez joked that both were part of the so-called "Axis of Evil" , the group of countries with whom the U.S. president George W. Bushput in his sights and which included Iraq, Iran and North Korea. But then he added that Chavez stands for that group corresponded to the "Movement of Free Allies" (MAL) , which included all those who contribute to the creation of a "multipolar" world and cited as common enemies "the Yankee empire and the genocidal state of Israel." Since Chavez came to power in 1999, the foreign relations of Venezuela, the country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world, have continued to raise dust. Chavez received several times the country visit by Iranian PresidentMahmoud Ahmadinejad , even amid tensions in the Persian Gulf and a growing pressure from Western countries for alleged military nuclear program in Tehran . "We do not want that task we had touched. But we have had, stop, stop, stop the imperialist madness that has now been unleashed like never before in a long time ever, "Chavez said then. With the arrival of Ahmadinejad to the Government in 2005, the relationship between Venezuela and Iran has narrowed both ideologically and in the economic sector, with around 5,000 million dollars exchange trading, and agreements for cooperation in sectors such as energy. This alliance has not been welcomed by countries like the United States , through the Department of State, passed in May 2011 to seven international companies, including state Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) , to support Iran's energy sector. The sanctions, administrative, not translated into concrete and, in fact, Venezuela is not stopped sending 1.2 million barrels per day to the United States, its top trading partner, despite massive protests staged by the ruling. Along with Iran, relations are Syria , Libya or Belarus focus the international spotlight, it also monitors the close military relationship with Russia or some compromise to the North Korean regime. The relationship between Chavez and Gaddafi went back to 2004. Companions of battles in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Venezuela still remember the "tent" that the Libyan leader then installed in the tourist island of Margarita in September 2009 for the Second Summit Africa-South America (ASA ). Also controversial was his relationship with the head of Belarusian State, Alexander Lukashenko , whom some consider the last dictator in Europe and Venezuela whose country has a trade of2,000 million dollars with construction agreements, oil and gas distribution. Ties with Syria dating from 2006 and have been translated into thirty agreements, mainly in food and energy, such as that included the construction of a refinery in Homs. The case is the most ambiguous DPRK within Venezuelan diplomatic relations. On 19 December last year, Chavez expressed his "sincere regret" over the death of North Korean leader, "Comrade" Kim Jong-il . Venezuela and North Korea trade relations have expanded since Chávez came to power who has come out against the U.S. criticism Korean regime.So, in late 2010, Chávez blamed a military crisis between North Korea and South Korea to a "premeditated action of factors of the far right" of the United States. Relations with Cuba deserve a separate chapter. Chavez linked to the Cuban revolution with its political process and considered Fidel Castro a "father" who constantly praised and which has sought inspiration for his government.