Venezuela
460. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Bremer) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Allen)
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Latin America/Central, Venezuela (02/28/1981–04/03/1981). Confidential. Fontaine sent the memorandum to Allen under cover of a March 25 memorandum in which he noted that arguments for a full State visit “are cogent and convincing,” adding: “But the matter has already been decided. There will be full State visit for President Herrera.”
461. Memorandum From Roger Fontaine of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Allen)
Source: Reagan Library, Robert H. Lilac Files, Arms Transfer: Country File, 1981–1983, AT: Venezuela [February 1981–March 1981]. Secret. Sent for information. A copy was sent to John Treat of the National Security Council staff. An unknown hand wrote and underlined “JC & BN have seen” at the bottom of the page.
462. Memorandum From Roger Fontaine of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Allen)
Source: Reagan Library, Roger W. Fontaine Files, Subject File, Venezuela [04/01/1981–04/15/1981]. Confidential. Sent for action. Copies were sent to Timothy Deal and Carole Farrar of the National Security Council staff.
463. Memorandum From Secretary of State Haig to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, Roger W. Fontaine Files, Subject File, Venezuela [05/19/1981–05/25/1981]. Confidential.
464. Memorandum From Robert Schweitzer, Roger Fontaine, Robert Kimmitt, and Chris Shoemaker of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Allen)
Source: Reagan Library, Roger W. Fontaine Files, Subject File, Venezuela [05/19/1981–05/25/1981]. Confidential. Sent for action. Shoemaker initialed on behalf of Fontaine. A stamped notation at the top of the first page reads: “SIGNED.” In an April 17 memorandum to Haig, Allen referred to Haig’s April 15 memorandum to Reagan (see Tab B, Document 462) and noted that the sale of F–16A aircraft to Venezuela was a policy issue that would require a specific memorandum to Reagan. (Reagan Library, Roger W. Fontaine Files, Subject File, Venezuela [04/16/1981–04/30/1981])
465. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Roger W. Fontaine Files, Subject File, Venezuela [05/19/1981–05/25/1981]. Confidential. Drafted by Luers; cleared by Enders on May 21. The meeting took place in the Roosevelt Room. In a May 15 information memorandum to Haig, Enders noted that in the interest of “achieving some degree of Latin American consensus on foreign policy issues,” Herrera had called for “a meeting of all Latin American and Caribbean countries” and Zambrano was “trying to arrange a more modest initial meeting with Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.” Enders recommended that Haig not take a position on the subject during his meeting with Montes de Oca and García. (Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, Secretariat Memorandums, 1979–1983, Lot 96D262, 1981 ES Sensitive May 13–20)
466. Minutes of a National Security Council Meeting
Source: Reagan Library, Robert H. Lilac Files, Arms Transfer: Country File, 1981–1983, AT: Venezuela [June 1981]. Secret. Kimmitt sent the minutes to Schweitzer under cover of a June 2 memorandum in which he noted that the meeting took place on June 1. Reagan wrote in his personal diary for June 1: “Later an N.S.C. meeting. I okayed reversing the Carter policy against selling arms to our friends. Venezuela wants to buy F16 fighter planes.” (Brinkley, ed., The Reagan Diaries, volume I, January 1981–October 1985, p. 44)
467. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Support Services (DI), Job 82T00565R: Production Case Files (1981), Box 1, Folder 23: Venezuela—Latin America: Reaching For a Unified Foreign Policy. Secret; Noforn; [handling restriction not declassified]. Prepared in the Office of Political Analysis and coordinated with DO, the Office of Economic Research, and the NIO for Latin America. Information available as of July 16 was used in the preparation of the memorandum.
468. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Roger W. Fontaine Files, Subject File, Venezuela [October 1981–November 1981]. Confidential. Drafted on November 17 by Hart; cleared by Haig, Luers, and in S/S. Goldberg signed for Haig. The meeting took place at Blair House. In telegram 10292 from Caracas, October 30, the Embassy sent briefing information for Herrera’s visit. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D810514–0990) Herrera made a State visit to Washington, November 16–19.
469. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Subject File, Memorandums of Conversation—President Reagan (11/19/1981–11/27/1981). Secret. Drafted on November 19 by Luers; cleared in S/S and the NSC. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. In a November 12 memorandum to Reagan, Allen wrote that “it is vital that you discuss fully and frankly with President Herrera Campins the situation in Central America” and that “above all, President Herrera Campins must understand your determination to keep democracy and the hope for democracy alive in the region, and that we will not permit Cuban interventionism to succeed. American firmness on this question—particularly—in your direct, private talks with the Venezuelan President—will help strengthen his resolve despite internal Venezuelan pressure to do otherwise.” (Reagan Library, WHORM: Subject File, Republic of Venezuela, CO171, 033898)
470. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Subject File, Memorandums of Conversation—President Reagan (11/19/1981–11/27/1981). Secret. Drafted on November 19 by Luers; cleared in S/S and the NSC. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room.
471. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Subject File, Memorandums of Conversation—President Reagan (11/19/1981–11/27/1981). Secret. Drafted by Luers; cleared in S/S and the NSC. The meeting took place in the Oval Office. For documentation on U.S.-Venezuela discussions about the South Atlantic crisis, see Foreign Relations, 1981–1988, vol. XIII, Conflict in the South Atlantic, 1981–1984, Documents 122, 204, and 236.
472. Memorandum From Constantine Menges and Oliver North of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane)
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Latin America/Central, Venezuela (11/02/1982–12/20/1983). Secret. Sent for action. A stamped notation at the top of the page reads: “SIGNED.”
473. Intelligence Assessment Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Asian, Pacific, Latin America, and African Analysis, Job 04T00367R: Intelligence Publication Files–Production Case Files (1984), Box 1, Folder 2: Venezuela: Challenges Facing the New Administration. Secret; Noforn; [handling restriction not declassified]. Prepared in the Office of African and Latin American Analysis and coordinated with the Director of Operations. Based on information available as of December 6, 1983.
474. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz’s Delegation to the Department of State and the White House
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Latin America/Central, Venezuela (02/03/1984–12/17/1984). Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent from aboard the Delegation’s aircraft. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Reagan wrote his initials at the top of the first page. Shultz visited Caracas, February 1–3, to attend the inauguration of Lusinchi and meet with Central American Foreign Ministers. In telegram 475 from Caracas, January 17, the Embassy reported on Walters’ January 16 meeting with Lusinchi, who “devoted much of a warm and friendly meeting to a discussion of his many contacts with the Venezuelan military since the elections and to his satisfaction that the military was solidly behind Venezuela’s democratic processes and his presidency.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, N840001–0420)
475. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz’s Delegation to the White House and the Department of State
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Country File, Latin America/Central, Venezuela (02/03/1984–12/17/1984). Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. Shultz travelled to Brazil February 3–7, 1984. See Documents 181 and 182.
476. Telegram From the Embassy in Venezuela to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D840292–0585. Confidential; Immediate. Also sent Immediate to the White House and the Department of the Treasury.
477. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan
Source: Reagan Library, NSC Records, Latin American Affairs Directorate, Miscellaneous Issues File, President Lusinchi/Venezuela. Secret. Prepared by Menges. Copies were sent to Bush, Meese, James Baker, and Deaver. An unknown hand wrote at the top of the page: “President has seen.” Tab A, a memorandum from Shultz, was not found attached. Tab B, Talking Points, are attached but not printed. Tab C, a biography of Lusinchi, was not found attached.
478. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Reagan Library, Executive Secretariat, NSC Subject File, Memorandums of Conversation—President Reagan (12/04/1984–12/14/1984). Secret. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room. Lusinchi made a state visit to Washington, December 3–5. No drafting information appears on the memorandum. Menges sent the memorandum of conversation for approval to McFarlane under cover of a December 4 memorandum upon which Poindexter initialed approval.
479. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Venezuela, Bolivia, France, Spain, Chile, the United Kingdom, and the Federal Republic of Germany
Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D840782–0523. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Rondon; cleared by Kilday and McKinley and S/S–O, and ARA/SC in draft; approved by Shultz.
480. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz’s Delegation to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, [no n number]. Secret; Immediate; Nodis.
481. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz’s Delegation to the Department of State and the Embassy in Venezuela
Source: Reagan Library, George P. Shultz Papers, Box 23A, Memcons 1985–1986. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information to Port au Prince, Bogota, Kingston, and the Contadora Collective. Shultz visited Bogota, August 6–7, to attend Barco’s inauguration. See Document 349.
482. Intelligence Assessment Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Asian, Pacific, Latin America, and African Analysis, Job 04T00794R: Intelligence Publication Files–Production Case Files (1986), Box 1, Folder 33: Venezuela: Struggling with Declining Oil Revenues. Secret; Noforn; [handling restriction not declassified]. Prepared in the Office of African and Latin American Analysis with contributions from the Office of Leadership Analysis and coordinated with the Directorate of Operations. Based on information available as of November 15.
483. Telegram From Secretary of State Shultz’s Delegation to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Executive Secretariat, S/S Records, 1987 Nodis and Exdis Memorandums, Lot 94D432, Exdis Memorandums, August 1–December 1987. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information to Caracas and the Contadora Collective. In telegram 9315 from Caracas, September 17, Reich provided briefing information for Shultz’s meeting with Lusinchi, noting that Lusinchi would likely raise the issues of debt and drugs, two issues about which Lusinchi felt “very strongly.” (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D870771–0377)
484. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Venezuela
Source: Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, Electronic Telegrams, D880935–0429. Confidential; Immediate. Sent for information to Maracaibo, Lima, Port-au-Prince, and the Interest Section in Havana. Drafted by Yale; cleared in NSC, ARA/AND, ARA, CAR, CCA, P, S/S, and S/S–O; approved by Abrams.
485. Telegram From the Embassy in Venezuela to the Department of State
Source: George H.W. Bush Library, Bush Vice Presidential Records, Office of National Security Affairs, Donald P. Gregg Files, OA/ID 19874–015, Country Files, Venezuela–1988. Secret; Immediate. Printed from a copy that indicates the original was received in the White House Situation Room. An unknown hand wrote “GOOD VIBES!” in the right-hand margin.