Relationship dossier
Morocco
Venezuela
Relationship assessment
Relations strained by Venezuela’s support for the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Morocco’s position on Western Sahara
Morocco toward Venezuela
-35Morocco severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela in 2009 amid disputes over Venezuela’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and support for the Polisario Front. The countries later moved to restore relations, though the practical scope of renewed engagement is unclear.
Venezuela toward Morocco
-40Venezuela recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1982 and has supported the Polisario Front, opposing Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara. These positions have been a major source of bilateral friction.
Overall relationship
-35The bilateral relationship has been shaped more by conflict over Western Sahara than by sustained cooperation. Venezuela’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Morocco’s severing of diplomatic relations in 2009 mark a significant period of estrangement; later moves to restore relations indicate some effort to reopen ties.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations have been strained chiefly by Venezuela’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and support for the Polisario Front, positions opposed by Morocco. Morocco severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela in 2009, and the countries later moved to restore them. The Western Sahara dispute remains a central bilateral fault line; the scope and practical effects of renewed relations are unclear.
Areas of tension
- Venezuela’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- Venezuela’s support for the Polisario Front and Morocco’s position on Western Sahara
Key developments
Venezuela recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Morocco severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela amid disputes over Venezuela’s position on Western Sahara.
Morocco and Venezuela moved to restore diplomatic relations after a period of estrangement.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of the efforts to restore diplomatic relations are unclear.
- The extent of recent bilateral government cooperation is uncertain.