Venezuela during World War II

During World War II, Venezuela played a significant yet often overlooked role. As one of the world's largest oil exporters, the country became crucial to the Allied war effort. The United States and Britain relied heavily on Venezuelan oil to fuel their military machinery. Recognizing the strategic importance of their resources, Venezuela aligned more closely with the Allies, despite maintaining formal neutrality for much of the war.
Venezuelan President Isaías Medina Angarita initially preserved a neutral stance but supported the Allies through economic means. The country experienced an economic boom due to the increased demand for oil, which significantly boosted its revenues. The Venezuelan government also allowed the U.S. to establish air bases on its territory, enhancing the defense of the Caribbean against potential Axis threats. In 1941, German U-boats targeted Venezuelan oil tankers, prompting the government to bolster its defenses and enhance cooperation with Allied forces. By 1945, Venezuela broke diplomatic relations with the Axis powers and declared war on Germany and Japan, formally joining the Allied cause.
Venezuela's contribution to WWII was primarily economic and logistical, with its oil being a critical resource that helped sustain the Allied military operations, underscoring the country's strategic importance in the global conflict.

SOURCES
– Latin America and the Second World War, Volume 2, 1942–1945 (R. A. Humphreys).
– Latin America During World War II (Thomas M. Leonard, John F. Bratzel).
– The History of Venezuela (H. Micheal Tarver, Julia C. Frederick).

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Caracas 1930 y mas
Caracas, Venezuela en color, año 1935
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[HistoryHustle]

0:50 - Error: Juan Vicente Gómez ruled till 1935, not 1945.

South American countries during World War II [PLAYLIST]:

[piercoucy]

My German grandfather was living in Venezuela since 1933, and he was put on the "Lista Negra", the black list. He lost his business, he couldn't find a job and he managed to get by only because he was married to a Venezuelan woman. My Mum was a child but used to tell me about this time as a difficult time. She remembered many sailors from the ship Sesostris (all my family has dived into this sunk ship) caught in Venezuela during the war, coming to visit my granfather. And yet, my Granfather was no nazi. The last time, before the war, he visited Germany, he came back sadly impressed by the Nazi goverment. He told my granmother that a crazy guy was ruling Germany now, and war was coming sooner or later. He was right!

[mjstbnsn]

Refreshing, a view what other countries was doing during WWII.

[DefiniteRicardo]

As a Venezuelan hats off to you hermano really good video hope to see more of these types of videos soon

[michaelhemphill]

'Thanks "Instructor"for your "notable ability" to bring these past "World Affairs"to " life"!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[DRFelGood]

Excellent research Stefan, thank you so much ❤ love your channel!!!

[MarcPagan]

Another interesting video - thank you.

[davidraper]

An interesting if overlooked aspect of WWII. Thankyou

[nerozero]

Saturday time to learn something new. Thank you 👍

[Hillbilly]

Always interesting Stefan. Have enjoyed your South American videos immensely. Cheers from Tennessee

[HaakonOdinsson]

Another very interesting video from yourself, brilliant, thank you for these 👍

[justanapple]

Nice vid, are you still in South America Stefan?

[Parocha]

Thanks for covering my country 😊
Btw, Colonia Tovar is one of my favorite places; I have very fond memories of this place .

Edit: 5:00
President Maduró is not trying to seize the Esequibo region. The area was invaded by Great Britain in the early 19th Century, when Venezuela was fighting Spain for its independence (Search maps for the Capitanía General de Venezuela and you will see that land was NEVER part of the British Empire). Venezuela has been denouncing Britain, and later Guyana, for over two centuries; this has nothing to do with Maduró. In fact, both he and his Predecessor, Hugo Chavez, have been both negligent and complicit in allowing Guyana to exploit a disputed land, in direct contravention of the Geneva Accords

[annwilliams]

This is a very interesting video which highlights an unfamiliar or even forgotten part of WWII history. I am just reading about the Brazilian and Mexican actually military contribution to WWII. The Brazilian forces, who took the name the Smoking Snakes from a disparaging remark made by Hitler, fought in Northern Italy particularly in the Apennine Mountains. They enabled the Allies to break the deadlock and push through to Austria. They also lost a considerable number of ships to UBoat action. Although on paper the Mexicans appear to have recruited a very small number of airmen (the Screaming Aztecs) for the war - they fought mainly in the Pacific - it does not take into account the large numbers who were allowed to enlist in the US forces. One of the draw backs to reading more about these contributions to the war effort is almost all the written material is in Portuguese or Spanish. Very little appears to have been translated into English or other languages.

[jagmann--]

I got a question can you do videos on El Salvador and Guatemala during WW2 Mr Hustle

[mohammedsaysrashid]

Another wonderful historical coverage episode was shared by an amazing ( history Hustle) and introduced by 🙏( Sir Stefan) thanks for sharing

[aidankitson]

Another excellent video Stef. Venezuela is a huge worry for the US as it is one of the greatest oil producers in the world

[gibraltersteamboatco]

Very good. Thank you. BZ.
The 28th will be interesting.

[liamtahaney]

How was your experience visiting Venezuela? A close friend of mine is Venezuelan and reccomends strongly against going there

[CARL_]

Although Venezuela was officially neutral for most of the war, it covertly supported the Allies, and eventually declared war on the Axis powers in February 1945, a few months before the end of the conflict