Chapter 870 South America (2)

As early as 1835, Venezuela and the United States established diplomatic relations. Since then, Venezuela and the United States have had close economic and trade ties. For a long time, the United States was Venezuela's largest export market, especially after the discovery of a large oil field in the Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela, most of the oil was exported to the United States. In the era of booming business, Venezuelan oil companies even invested in and owned tens of thousands of gas stations in the United States.

As the United States became stronger and stronger, the United States regarded the entire Latin American region as a strategic backyard and economic vassal. The economic plunder and political control of American capital were almost everywhere in Latin America. This made the local people quite disgusted, resulting in the fact that left-wing ideas have always been very popular in Latin America. Opposing the economic exploitation and political control of the United States is almost the basic policy of any Latin American left-wing party that wants to come to power. However, the left may not be able to improve the economy and get rid of the control of the United States after coming to power. In the end, it provided opportunities for the right wing, and even the situation of long-term rule by right-wing military personnel appeared. President Isaias Medina Angarita is also a military man.

However, the Venezuelan people still have a good impression of Germany, and this good impression is largely derived from Alexander von Humboldt.

In 1799, Alexander von Humboldt, a famous German natural scientist and social activist, went to South America for a scientific expedition.

During the expedition in South America, Humboldt went deep into the dense rain forests of Venezuela, crossed the long Andes Mountains, and met Simon Bolivar. Simon Bolivar was one of the most outstanding leaders of the Latin American independence movement in the early 19th century. He led the independence wars in Venezuela, Colombia and other places from 1810 to 1826, established the Republic of Gran Colombia, which united today's Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, and was called the "Father of Venezuela".

This "Father of Venezuela" had a high opinion of Humboldt and once said: "Baron Humboldt is the true discoverer of the New World, and his knowledge has contributed more to the Americas than all the conquerors combined." Humboldt's encouragement to the Latin American liberators and his assistance to countless explorers later have also been recorded in the history of South American countries. After that, many German scientists visited Venezuela for scientific expeditions, and German missionaries also established many German schools there.

President Angarita was born a soldier, but he is also a politician. Although he doesn't like the United States, he also knows that Germany is not a good person. Compared with the United States, it is just a wolf and a tiger, and neither of them has good intentions.

After hesitating for a long time, President Angarita spoke carefully. "Your Excellency Ambassador Frank, we prefer to remain neutral."

"Neutral?" Ambassador Frank lit a cigar and blew out a smoke ring. "Your Excellency, neutrality also requires strength. If there is no neutrality without strength, it is just wishful thinking." As the saying goes, only by being able to fight can you stop the war, and only by daring to fight can you talk about peace. In the final analysis, if you want to obtain a neutral position and maintain your own peace and stability, you still need hard power as support. For example, Sweden, in addition to flirting with Germany and having an ambiguous relationship, its own strength should not be underestimated. Although Sweden has a small population, its military strength is very strong. The equipment and combat effectiveness of the Swedish army are world-class, and no country dares to underestimate Sweden's military strength. Before World War II, Sweden maintained 500,000 standing troops and millions of reserve troops. Once the war broke out, Germany would lose a few teeth even if it could win.

Obviously, Venezuela does not have such hard power. "Before I came, I received news that our fleet arrived in the waters of French Guiana and launched an attack. I don't know how long that idiot Charles de Gaulle can hold on?" Charles de Gaulle is simply a model of courting death. If he was submissive and said something nice, he might be made the governor of French Guiana or something. But he was clamoring to counterattack the European continent without knowing whether to live or die. Do you have the strength? !

Seeing President Angarita take out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off his face, Ambassador Frank smiled. "And our Highness promised to invest heavily in your country's oil industry. To be honest, you should know what kind of oil you produce."

A lot of oil resources can basically be sold as soon as they are dug up, and they can be used as soon as they are sold, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, etc., because they are all light oil, which is very convenient and practical, and does not require much effort. However, most of Venezuela's oil is heavy oil. This kind of oil cannot be used directly after it is mined. It needs to go through a series of blending, processing, refining and other links.

Venezuela does not have these technologies and equipment, and can only export heavy oil. Importing countries need to buy it back and process it themselves, which is very troublesome in itself, and many importing countries also do not have this technology.

Moreover, Venezuela's geographical location is also awkward. From a global perspective, the main oil demand is actually in Asia, Europe, and North America. However, Asia and Europe are too far away from Venezuela, especially Asia. If you want to buy oil, you have to cross the entire Pacific Ocean and pass the Panama Canal. The journey is too long and the freight is too high; the first choice for buyers is definitely the Middle East with a moderate geographical location. In North America, the United States itself is rich in oil, and Canada also produces oil, and the demand is even smaller.

However, Yannick thinks that so much oil should not be wasted. It is also a good investment. After all, the future international oil price will definitely be determined by Germany. Even if you invest in Venezuela, you will not lose money.

"Nowadays, oil production in the Middle East is gradually increasing. Once the war is over, oil prices will plummet. At that time, your country may not be able to sell even a barrel of oil. What will be the consequences? I don't need to say more, right?" Venezuela is a country with a single economy. Its economic development depends entirely on crude oil. Once crude oil cannot be sold, it will be almost extinct.

After smoking a cigar, President Angarita did not make any clear statement. Ambassador Frank stood up and prepared to leave. "Since President Angarita is unwilling, I will not force it. I wish you a pleasant afternoon." He muttered in his heart about this ungrateful guy. Fortunately, he also prepared a plan B.

That night, a coup broke out in Venezuela. The Minister of Defense personally led troops into the presidential palace, arrested President Angarita, and announced the establishment of a military committee to manage the country, with Romulo Ernesto Betancorte Bello as the chairman of the military government.

The next day, President Bello personally went to the German Embassy. The two sides had a secret talk for more than an hour. After returning to the presidential palace, President Bello announced that he would carry out a series of trade and military cooperation with Germany and lease the Paraguana Peninsula to Germany for 50 years.