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Programs

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.

The Venezuela Working Group

The Venezuela Working Group (VWG) is a high-level group that informs policymakers in the United States, Europe, and Latin America on how to advance a long-term vision and action-oriented policies to foster democratic stability in Venezuela. The Venezuela Working Group seeks to promote the restoration of democratic institutions in Venezuela.

VWG members draw from their diverse backgrounds, global networks, and deep expertise to tackle the most challenging issues around Venezuela policy, both at the domestic and international levels. Priority issues for the VWG’s 2021 work include: supporting Venezuela’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts; assessing risks and opportunities around upcoming regional elections; and exploring non-traditional mechanisms for effectively mitigating Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis.

Content

Dispatches

Jan 14, 2026

How the IMF can help Venezuela stabilize its economy

By Martin Mühleisen

The institution can bring financing and technical assistance to a Venezuelan debt restructuring—and in a way the prevents preferential treatment to Chinese creditors.

Economy & Business
International Financial Institutions

In the News

Jan 12, 2026

Kroenig quoted in Fox News on Trump Venezuela policy

By Atlantic Council

On January 12, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was quoted in a Fox News article titled "Marco Rubio emerges as key Trump power player after Venezuela operation."

Americas
Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 12, 2026

The Venezuela-Iran connection and what Maduro’s capture means for Tehran, explained 

By Joze Pelayo, Kirsten Fontenrose, Ellie Sennett 

Our experts break down Iran’s ties to Venezuela and the impact Maduro’s capture could have on Tehran’s interests in and outside of its own borders. 

Iran
Oil and Gas

In the News

Jan 9, 2026

Guenov on Times Radio about how Venezuela impacts the US-Russia relationship

By Atlantic Council

On January 9, Tressa Guenov, director of operations and programs and senior fellow at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security was interviewed on Times Radio about the US-Russia relationship. She argues that though the Trump National Security Strategy does not name Russia as an adversary, oil tanker seizures demonstrate a harder line from the US against Russia in the Western hemisphere.

Politics & Diplomacy
Russia

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

Delcy Rodríguez’s untenable balancing act

By Iria Puyosa

Venezuela’s new acting president must choose between accommodating the Trump administration’s demands and preserving unity among the regime’s Chavista base.

Conflict
Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Jan 8, 2026

What it takes to revive Venezuela’s oil and gas industry

By David L. Goldwyn, Andrea Clabough

International oil companies are unlikely to make major new investments in Venezuela without greater legal and regulatory certainty.

Latin America
Oil and Gas

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig interviewed in the New Yorker on military action in Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed in The New Yorker on the ousting of Nicolás Maduro. He contends that in using military force, President Trump showed that US threats are credible, and draws a distinction between targeted, limited uses of military might and long-term wars.

Americas
Latin America

In the News

Jan 7, 2026

Kroenig on DW News on US oil tanker seizures in the Caribbean

By Atlantic Council

On January 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig was interviewed on DW-TV about the US seizure of a Russian flagged oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. He contends that the move signaled US resolve in quarantining the Venezuelan regime and adopting a firmer approach toward Russia in the Western hemisphere.

Americas
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 7, 2026

Why Maduro’s removal could ultimately benefit China

By Melanie Hart

Two important factors make the recent US operation in Venezuela less of a loss for China than many analysts realize.

China
Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Jan 6, 2026

Kroenig featured in the New York Times on ousting Maduro

By Atlantic Council

On January 6, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig wrote an article in the New York Times titled "Trump Was Right to Oust Maduro." He argues that Maduro threatened vital US security interests, and that his removal from power creates opportunity for better governance in Venezuela.

Politics & Diplomacy
Security & Defense

Experts