Venezuela's South-South Cooperation Project in the Framework of the Bolivarian Diplomacy

Abstract Venezuela has historically played a significant role in South-South Cooperation (SSC). However, starting in 1999, the Chávez administration adopted a more assertive foreign policy, diverging from the approaches of previous governments, particularly in its reduced engagement with North-South Cooperation. This paper empirically examines Venezuela's SSC during Hugo Chávez's presidency (1999–2013), employing the analytical frameworks of Lancaster (2007) and Kragelund (2019) alongside Grounded Theory methodology. The study draws on data from in-depth interviews with key informants in government, academia, and the media. The findings offer a nuanced understanding of Venezuela's SSC strategies and their implications within the broader context of international cooperation.