Relationship dossier
Nicaragua
Venezuela
Relationship assessment
A sustained political alliance, reinforced by ALBA, Venezuelan oil cooperation and mutual diplomatic support.
Nicaragua toward Venezuela
+75Nicaragua has supported Venezuelan governments diplomatically, including by opposing external pressure on Venezuela. Its participation in ALBA has provided an enduring framework for political cooperation.
Venezuela toward Nicaragua
+80Venezuela supplied Nicaragua with oil and associated financing through bilateral cooperation, especially after Nicaragua joined ALBA in 2007. This support formed a major material component of the partnership.
Overall relationship
+80The relationship has been characterized by a sustained political alliance, institutionalized through ALBA, and reinforced by Venezuelan oil and financing support to Nicaragua and Nicaragua's diplomatic backing of Venezuela. These recurring forms of cooperation distinguish the partnership from a relationship based only on formal 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
Nicaragua and Venezuela have maintained a close political partnership, particularly under the governments of Daniel Ortega and Hugo Chávez and their successors. Nicaragua joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) in 2007 and received Venezuelan oil and associated financing through bilateral cooperation. Nicaragua has also supported Venezuela diplomatically, including by opposing pressure on the Venezuelan government.
Key developments
Nicaragua joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), creating a framework for political and economic cooperation with Venezuela.
Venezuelan oil supplies and associated financing became a significant part of bilateral cooperation with Nicaragua.
Major uncertainties
- The scale and terms of Venezuelan oil and financing arrangements have changed over time.
- The practical scope of current bilateral cooperation is unclear.