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Venezuela

Women are seen making food and holding food containers in a kitchen.
Women are seen making food and holding food containers in a kitchen.

Chavismo’s Latest Target

NGOs are essential to Venezuelan society. A new law may lead to their collapse.

Dispatch |
Tony Frangie-Mawad
Ex-combatants of the FARC-People’s Army listen to a U.N. member speak on humanitarian demining in the municipality of La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, on Oct. 9, 2019.
Ex-combatants of the FARC-People’s Army listen to a U.N. member speak on humanitarian demining in the municipality of La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, on Oct. 9, 2019.

The U.N.’s Small Success Stories

The organization has been criticized aplenty this week. Its missions in Colombia, Honduras, and Venezuela could be a silver lining.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A migrant family from Venezuela illegally crosses the Rio Grande river.
A migrant family from Venezuela illegally crosses the Rio Grande river.

Venezuela’s Forgotten Refugee Crisis Rivals Ukraine’s

International funding for refugees falls short despite a new spike in Venezuelans fleeing their country.

Report |
Robbie Gramer
A woman holds a banner that reads “Today a new country is born” as she awaits the inauguration of Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Simón Bolívar International Bridge between Colombia and Venezuela in Cúcuta, Colombia, on Aug. 7.
A woman holds a banner that reads “Today a new country is born” as she awaits the inauguration of Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the Simón Bolívar International Bridge between Colombia and Venezuela in Cúcuta, Colombia, on Aug. 7.

Venezuela’s Enabling Neighbors Change Their Tune

Former Maduro allies in Colombia and Brazil have recently rebuked him.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Juan Guaidó in the Venezuelan parliament in Caracas
Juan Guaidó in the Venezuelan parliament in Caracas

Biden Sidelines Venezuelan Democracy at Summit of the Americas

The administration wants to support human rights, but it doesn’t have the courage of its convictions.

Shadow Government |
Elliott Abrams
Cubans line up to buy food outside a store in Havana on Jan. 6.
Cubans line up to buy food outside a store in Havana on Jan. 6.

Rethinking Maximum Pressure

Washington loosens its sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela ahead of a critical summit.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
A motorcycle passes in front of an oil-themed mural in Caracas, Venezuela
A motorcycle passes in front of an oil-themed mural in Caracas, Venezuela

Democracy Is Not a Commodity

The United States shouldn’t bargain away Venezuela’s future for oil.

Argument |
Isadora Zubillaga
Members of the Venezuelan army take part in a military parade in Tumeremo, Bolívar state, Venezuela, about 56 miles from the border with Guyana, on July 21, 2015.
Members of the Venezuelan army take part in a military parade in Tumeremo, Bolívar state, Venezuela, about 56 miles from the border with Guyana, on July 21, 2015.

Another Conflict Is Brewing in the Caribbean

Russia’s war in Ukraine stirs Venezuela’s dreams of conquest in oil-rich Guyana.

Argument |
Paul J. Angelo, Wazim Mowla
Maduro and Putin on a placard in Caracas
Maduro and Putin on a placard in Caracas

U.S.-Venezuelan Oil Deal Should Not Forget Democracy

A surprise trip to Caracas seems to have secured some energy relief—but needs to yield democratic benefits, too.

Argument |
David Smilde
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Dec. 5, 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Dec. 5, 2018.

How the War in Ukraine Could Empower Maduro

Skyrocketing oil prices give Venezuela’s embattled leader less incentive to pursue sanctions relief.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Sergio Garrido, governor-elect of Barinas, displays a document during his accreditation and proclamation by the Barinas State Electoral Regional Office on behalf of the National Electoral Council at its headquarters in Barinas, Venezuela, on Jan. 10.
Sergio Garrido, governor-elect of Barinas, displays a document during his accreditation and proclamation by the Barinas State Electoral Regional Office on behalf of the National Electoral Council at its headquarters in Barinas, Venezuela, on Jan. 10.

Venezuela’s Opposition Wins on Hugo Chávez’s Home Turf

What the sweeping electoral victory means for the future.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House in Washington on Dec. 6.
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House in Washington on Dec. 6.

The Democrat’s Playbook

Biden’s Summit for Democracy must go on the offensive.

Argument |
Christopher Sabatini, Ryan C. Berg
Presidential candidate of the Liberty and Refoundation Party, Xiomara Castro, greets supporters during an election campaign tour in Honduras.
Presidential candidate of the Liberty and Refoundation Party, Xiomara Castro, greets supporters during an election campaign tour in Honduras.

Is Democracy Backsliding in Latin America—or Making a Comeback?

In a packed elections month, several key elections are toss-ups.

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
Then-U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina is mobbed by reporters.
Then-U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina is mobbed by reporters.

How Filibusters Moved from Piracy to Congress

Freelance imperialists in the 1800s left behind weak institutions and racist legacies.

Argument |
Paul Musgrave
Venezuelan Angel Rodolfo Camaña combs a woman’s hair at a hairdresser in Bogotá on Feb. 10.
Venezuelan Angel Rodolfo Camaña combs a woman’s hair at a hairdresser in Bogotá on Feb. 10.

Latin America’s Drive to Integrate Venezuelan Migrants Earns Praise

A U.N. official calls efforts in the region “a model of solidarity.”

Latin America Brief |
Catherine Osborn
An opposition activist holds a banner that reads “vaccination now” during a protest to demand the government generally vaccinate the population in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 28.
An opposition activist holds a banner that reads “vaccination now” during a protest to demand the government generally vaccinate the population in Caracas, Venezuela, on May 28.

Venezuela Is Without a Vaccination Plan

Maduro’s abject failure is consequential for the nation, the region, and the world.

Argument |
Ryan C. Berg, James M. Shultz
An Iranian warship nears the Strait of Hormuz.
An Iranian warship nears the Strait of Hormuz.

Why the United States Can’t Touch Iran’s Atlantic-Bound Warships

International law blocks direct action on sovereign vessels even if they’re violating U.S. sanctions.

Argument |
Cornell Overfield
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gestures at an anti-Trump demonstration.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro gestures at an anti-Trump demonstration.

How Maduro Beat Sanctions

Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy only made Maduro stronger. Now, Biden has to chart a new course.

Argument |
Jorge Jraissati, Wolf von Laer
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