Expand All Collapse All Extent 87 folders, approximately 1,028 pages Summary This collection consists of records responsive to a subject-line search of the word "Venezuela" within the National Security Council's Record Management System. It contains correspondence, memos, letters, reports, talking points, and administrative government paperwork related to travel. Scope and Content Note The materials in FOIA 2017-0394-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. The researcher submitted a request for a subject line search for Venezuela within the National Security Council (NSC) Records Management System. Prior to the 1998 Venezuelan election that saw military leader Hugo Chavez assume presidency, the United States enjoyed what can best be described as hegemony over Venezuela. Washington’s influence and authority gave way to close conformity with US interests on matters of trade and foreign policy, among other economic and political issues. Venezuela was a major supplier of oil to the United States, with generous contracts for its oil companies. Internally, however, Venezuela was wracked with social, political, and economic instability. Poverty and corruption became catalysts for attempted coups and general distrust of the established political system, paving the way for Hugo Chavez to run on a platform of nationalist populism and promises of reform. After his election in 1998, US/Venezuelan relations became strained, with Chavez embracing more radical policy and breaking with the long-held US centric systems and ideals. Friction between the United States and Venezuela over policy and politics continues to this day, even after the death of Chavez in 2013. Despite ideological differences, both countries maintain diplomatic relations, keeping embassies in each country, and the United States remains Venezuela’s largest trade partner. The records to be opened in this collection consists of correspondence, memos, letters, reports, talking points, and requests from government officials to travel to Venezuela. The correspondence between President Clinton and the Venezuelan presidents (Ramon Velasquez, Rafael Caldera, and Hugo Chavez Frias) is mostly routine in nature. There are reports from Jimmy Carter regarding the lead-up to the 1998 presidential election in Venezuela. The majority of the closures are for national security reasons. Record Type Textual System of Arrangement Records that are responsive to this FOIA request were found in the NSC Records Management System. Access Collection is open to all researchers. Access to Clinton Presidential Records is governed by the Presidential Records Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. Chapter 22, as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended) and therefore records may be restricted in whole or in part in accordance with legal exemptions. Copyright Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States government as part of their official duties are in the public domain. Researchers are advised to consult the copyright law of the United States (17 U.S.C. Chapter 1) which governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Provenance Official records of William Jefferson Clinton’s presidency are housed at the Clinton Presidential Library and administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) under the provisions of the Presidential Records Act (PRA). Processed by Staff Archivist, 2018. Previously restricted materials are added as they are released. Last Modified Date 2018-05-08 Container List The following is a list of documents and folders processed in response to FOIA 2017-0394-F: Box 1 Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System NSC Records Management System [Venezuela] 9300164 [OA/ID 139] 9300341 [OA/ID 139] 9300659 [OA/ID 2264] 9301528 [OA/ID 2265] 9301725 [OA/ID 144] 9306914 [OA/ID 161] 9308011 [OA/ID 167] 9309101 [OA/ID 173] 9309172 [OA/ID 173] 9309318 [OA/ID 174] 9309555 [OA/ID 176] 9400575 [OA/ID 183] 9402088 [OA/ID 188] 9403523 [OA/ID 473] 9405818 [OA/ID 205] 9406206 [OA/ID 207] 9406540 [OA/ID 209] 9407444 [OA/ID 213] 9408488 [OA/ID 482] 9409289 [OA/ID 222] 9420808 [OA/ID 2166] 9500066 [OA/ID 558] 9508351 [OA/ID 614] 9508706 [OA/ID 617] 9508896 [OA/ID 618] 9601677 [OA/ID 1090] 9603641 [OA/ID 1104] 9606232 [OA/ID 1121] 9606601 [OA/ID 1123] 9606645 [OA/ID 1123] Box 1 (continued) Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System NSC Records Management System [Venezuela] 9704911 [OA/ID 1631] 9705077 [OA/ID 1632] 9705113 [OA/ID 1633] 9705642 [OA/ID 1636] 9706479 [OA/ID 1642] 9706736 [OA/ID 1644] 9706837 [OA/ID 1644] 9706848 [OA/ID 1644] 9706879 [OA/ID 1645] 9706880 [OA/ID 1645] 9706890 [OA/ID 1645] 9706901 [OA/ID 1645] 9707393 [OA/ID 1649] 9707713 [OA/ID 1653] 9707994 [OA/ID 1655] 9708306 [OA/ID 1658] 9708669 [OA/ID 1661] 9720516 [OA/ID 3981] 9800328 [OA/ID 2010] 9801879 [OA/ID 2022] Box 2 9802125 [OA/ID 2024] 9806236 [OA/ID 2058] 9806541 [OA/ID 2060] 9807833 [OA/ID 2069] 9808479 [OA/ID 2074] 9820488 [OA/ID 3986] 9900162 [OA/ID 2705] 9900306 [OA/ID 2706] 9900407 [OA/ID 2707] 9900463 [OA/ID 2707] 9901099 [OA/ID 2712] 9904196 [OA/ID 2732] 9904203 [OA/ID 2732] 9904299 [OA/ID 2733] 9904550 [OA/ID 2735] 9904616 [OA/ID 2735] 9905531 [OA/ID 2741] 9906106 [OA/ID 2745] 9907260 [OA/ID 2752] 9907919 [OA/ID 2757] 9908035 [OA/ID 2758] 9909143 [OA/ID 2766] 9909167 [OA/ID 2766] Box 2 (continued) Clinton Presidential Records: NSC Cable, Email, and Records Management System NSC Records Management System [Venezuela] 9909202 [OA/ID 2766] 9909220 [OA/ID 2766] 9909229 [OA/ID 2766] 0000072 [OA/ID 4072] 0000224 [OA/ID 4073] 0000622 [OA/ID 3957] 0000872 [OA/ID 4076] 0001873 [OA/ID 4082] 0001919 [OA/ID 4082] 0002795 [OA/ID 4087] 0002999 [OA/ID 4089] 0004973 [OA/ID 4101] 0006637 [OA/ID 4110] 0007370 [OA/ID 4114]