CHAVEZ PUBLICLY STATES INTEREST IN DRUG COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 000945 SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018 TAGS: SNAR PREL PGOV CO VE SUBJECT: CHAVEZ PUBLICLY STATES INTEREST IN DRUG COOPERATION CARACAS 00000945 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR DANIEL LAWTON, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Summary. On the margins of Venezuela's July 5 Independence Day military parade, President Chavez told the Ambassador that he is interested in renewing bilateral counternarcotics cooperation with the USG. Both Chavez and Foreign Minister Maduro also sought out the Ambassador among the diplomatic corps to assure him that they did not intend to offend him with stock BRV "anti-Empire" rhetoric. The Ministry of Information and Communication released a July 5 communiquQ highlighting Chavez's interest in "reopening a dialogue with the United States." The motivation behind Chavez's sudden and surprising overture is not clear. In any event, Chavez's stated interest in renewing bilateral counternarcotics cooperation merits testing with concrete, practical USG proposals for moving forward. End Summary. -------------- A Sudden Change in Tone -------------- ¶2. (C) Following his July 5 Independence Day remarks at a military parade (Septel),President Chavez called out to the Ambassador seated with the diplomatic corps to tell him that his criticism was aimed at the "(U.S.) empire", not the American people. Later, following the conclusion of the military parade, Chavez once again spoke publicly to the Ambassador, who was surrounded by the diplomatic corps. Introducing Bolivian President Evo Morales to the Ambassador, Chavez said the three should get together to "conspire for peace." Chavez also stated that he wanted to talk more with the Ambassador and said the USG and BRV should renew counternarcotics cooperation. Chavez also said that if he were American, he would vote for Senator McCain. Chavez added quickly that he was joking, but said the USG and BRV should begin to talk, no matter who wins the U.S. election. ¶3. (C) At the subsequent July 5 commemoration at the National Assembly (NA),NA Deputy Francisco Torrealba told the Ambassador that the BRV is "almost ready for a change" in its approach to the USG. Torrealba did not provide additional details, but as a member of the five-member U.S.-Venezuelan "Friendship Group," he has been an advocate for a more constructive BRV relationship with the USG. Conciliatory words from BRV officials notwithstanding, NA aides cued up a song with the refrain "Yankee Go Home" for the NA ceremony. The Ambassador approached Foreign Minister Maduro to let him know that he would not stay to listen to that music. An MFA Protocol officer subsequently intercepted the departing Ambassador and asked him to stay, which he did. Maduro then sought out the Ambassador among the gathered diplomats after the event to assure him that the BRV had "not intended to offend." ¶4. (C) The Ministry of Communication and Information (MINCI) released a press communiquQ late on July 5 to call local media attention to President Chavez's conversation with the Ambassador. Only state media was present for the exchange, so MINCI issued its press release to generate attention in the independent media. Local newspapers did subsequently give prominent coverage to the story in their July 7 newspapers. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) President Chavez and other senior BRV officials have stated their interest in renewing a bilateral dialogue, and more specifically, counternarcotics cooperation, in the recent past, but have not done so publicly and followed through. The diplomatic corps and local media are abuzz with speculation as to why or how sincere Chavez's opening to the USG may be. The lengths to which the BRV is going to publicize its interest in renewing bilateral cooperation may be an encouraging sign. Chavez and Maduro made their reconciliatory remarks to the Ambassador in front of the diplomatic corps and state media. Moreover, the Ministry of Communication and Information released its press communiquQ to generate more local media attention after the local press did not immediately pick up on Chavez's overture. In any event, Chavez's stated interest in renewing bilateral counternarcotics cooperation merits testing. Embassy is drafting a "menu" of potential next steps that it will share with Washington prior to engaging the BRV further -- if the BRV is actually prepared to follow up. CARACAS 00000945 002.2 OF 002 DUDDY