Venezuela between question marks

Venezuela

Venezuela between question marks

By Andrés Cañizález / infocracia / January 14, 2019

Venezuela continues to be mired in the worst economic and humanitarian crisis in Latin America’s recent history. With Maduro beginning a second term, prospects for a way out are uncertain. But two events have pointed to a potential for change.

Foreign Policy & U.S./Latin America Relations

An interview with Ambassador Tom Shannon, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

January 10, 2019

On the third episode of “Two gringos with questions,” your hosts talked to Ambassador Shannon on the importance of U.S. presence in the region and his secrets for surviving thousands of meetings and briefings.

Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations

OAS Permanent Council rejects Nicolas Maduro’s new term

By Victoria Gaytan / VickyGO / January 10, 2019

With 19 votes in favor, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) agreed “to not recognize the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s new term as of the 10th of January of 2019.”

Venezuela

Under AMLO, Mexico’s government becomes an enabler

By Victoria Gaytan / VickyGO / January 9, 2019

A Grupo de Lima founding member and a champion of restoring democracy in Venezuela under previous administrations, Mexico under AMLO has scaled back its support for human rights defense in the region.

Policymaking

2019: Trends, risks and hard questions in Latin America

By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis / January 8, 2019

Unresolved challenges of organized crime, weak governance and extra-hemispheric actors threaten instability and to erode U.S. influence. It’s time for U.S. policymakers to face some tough questions.

Democracy & Elections

Guyana at Risk: Ethnic politics, oil, Venezuelan opportunism and why it should matter to Washington

By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis / December 31, 2018

A no-confidence vote in the parliament has triggered new elections, at a time—not coincidentally—that the country is grappling with how to manage its oil windfall. The U.S. can help.

From Global Americans

South America: 2030 Trends

December 14, 2018

The reports examine five specific areas—transnational security challenges, institutional capacity, economic growth, demographics, and technology—and how they will shape politics, economic and U.S. relations in South America by 2030.

Venezuela

Erdogan’s Venezuela adventure turns into another bargaining chip

By Imdat Oner / im_oner / December 7, 2018

Turkey’s recent flirtations with Venezuela as the U.S. tries to isolate the rogue government is another example of Erdogan’s tactic of trying to gain political bargaining chips in Ankara’s bilateral relations with Washington.

Foreign Policy & U.S./Latin America Relations

Russia in Latin America: Geopolitics and pragmatism

By Roberto Mansilla Blanco / November 28, 2018

In recent years, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has become increasingly strategically interested in Latin America. Despite clear geopolitical goals, the Kremlin’s relationship with the region has been marked by pragmatic realpolitik.

Foreign Policy & U.S./Latin America Relations

AMLO, Maduro and a questionable non-intervention policy

By Victoria Gaytan / VickyGO / November 2, 2018

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s presence at AMLO’s inauguration will be a test of Mexico’s future commitment to calling out human rights violations in the region.