moreover, trade with imperial japan reached an all-time high in 1939. after the war in europe began in september 1939, and after president eleazar lópez contreras declared the venezuela's neutrality, he maintained a huge commerce with japan and italy, but trade with germany ceased due to the british blockade. it was because of these circumstances some observers concluded that venezuela would join the axis if it were forced to take sides. however, the fear of venezuela aligning itself with germany, or any of the other axis powers, was mostly unwarranted, because the sentiment of your average venezuelan was "bitterly anti-german."