On the second episode of “Two gringos with questions,” Chris and Ken interview Venezuelan journalist Francisco Toro. They discuss what 20 years of Bolivarian Revolution has meant, for the beleaguered country, its people and their future.
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.
Colectivos, or groups of self-organized citizens, have often served to push common causes. In Venezuela, collectives perform the exact opposite function, acting as one of many of Maduro’s tools to divide the country and silence dissenters.
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.
Since the incoming government of Jair Bolsonaro backed out of Brazil’s plan to host the COP25 meetings next year, five Latin American and Caribbean countries—Barbados, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Jamaica—have stepped up.
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.
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.
Great Britain’s possible “return” to Latin America should be welcome both to the region and the U.S., even if the path remains long and uncertain.
Direct military intervention in Venezuela is obviously a controversial topic, yet there should be no controversy surrounding the credible appearance of commitment to military action.
Talking military intervention isn’t even a good theoretical gamble. Few would really believe it, and it is improbable that the U.S. would follow through.
