Waiting for Guaidó: This is about more than Venezuela; it’s about the future of the liberal international order
As the standoff continues without much sign of a plan B from the White House, the Maduro government is threatening to arrest President Juan Guaidó. It’s time for the other members of the 50-plus international coalition to put some muscle into the game.
Abandoning even the mention of the military option is the best way to bring about regime change in Venezuela
The use of military force to bring about regime change in Latin America would set U.S.-Latin American relations back decades. The U.S. needs to follow a more pragmatic and ultimately productive approach.
Venezuela: Questions for the day after
Putting Venezuela back together again will mean that weak or non-existent institutions in government, law, business, and civil society will need to emerge. International coordination will be key.
Beginning the endgame in Venezuela
U.S. decision makers must not let frustration or enthusiasm distract them from the importance of the Venezuelan people and the constitution. Any role for the U.S. military must be a limited, supporting one at most.
Great move. Well played. What next?
The events of January 23 were a victory for the once divided and dispirited Venezuelan opposition. But with Maduro so far refusing to step aside and a rogues’ gallery of governments lining up to support him, could the U.S. have stumbled into an international showdown?
Regional pressure on Maduro’s regime must continue despite Mexico’s abdication
The shameful decision of the AMLO administration to take a stance of non-intervention on Venezuela will hamper the effectiveness of a regional response, but efforts to reign in Maduro remain worthwhile and necessary.
Venezuela between question marks
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.
OAS Permanent Council rejects Nicolas Maduro’s new term
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.”
Under AMLO, Mexico’s government becomes an enabler
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.
The many messages of AMLO’s first address to the nation
Unlike his victory speech, AMLO’s first address as President of Mexico was full of mixed messages, casting even more doubt over the country’s course for the next six years.