Cuba and Venezuela: Revolutionary Confluence and Utopia in the Twenty-First Century

Both Cuba and Venezuela are currently enduring a series of international sanctions that have not only curtailed their access to global markets but also hindered their full participation in the international system. The primary objective of these sanctions is to induce a regime change within these nations. As a consequence, their economies are directly impacted, leading to market distortions and decreased availability of goods and services. Negative repercussions extend to levels of consumption and affect overall societal well-being. Moreover, sanctions pose challenges to governance by impeding bureaucratic processes, sound decision-making, and diminishing governability. Despite being aimed primarily at governmental activities, institutions, high-ranking officials, and national industries, it is undeniable that sanctions have significant and adverse effects on the general population. Notably, the application of sanctions has failed to produce the intended outcomes of regime change or democratization in these countries. Instead, both Cuba and Venezuela have managed to withstand the political ramifications of externally imposed sanctions, thereby ensuring the survival of their respective political regimes. This article seeks to explore the substantial opposition faced by the governments of Cuba and Venezuela from the United States and its allies. These nations have experienced isolation from numerous international actors and institutions, coupled with restricted access to markets and limited presence in various international forums. Consequently, this article delves into the potential impact of robust political alliances on the political survival of the political regimes of these countries.