Issue in Focus: Venezuela

Content

Fast Thinking

Jan 3, 2026

What to watch in a post-Maduro Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

President Donald Trump said the United States will now “run” Venezuela—but what will that mean in practice?

Democratic Transitions Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 3, 2026

Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?

By Atlantic Council experts

What does the future hold for Venezuela following the US raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power? Atlantic Council experts share their insights.

Democratic Transitions Latin America

Dispatches

Dec 17, 2025

What Trump’s Venezuela oil blockade means for Maduro and the world

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts react to news that the US military would soon impose a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into or out of Venezuela.

Caribbean Democratic Transitions

Spotlight

Dec 17, 2025

Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026: Ten defining questions for the year ahead

By the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

A look at the ten defining questions that will shape Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026.

Argentina Brazil

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2025

After Maduro

By Jason Marczak

Opposition leaders have a plan for a democratic transition when Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro leaves power.

Corruption Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

Why the Pentagon had been reluctant to combat narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere

By Kevin Whitaker

The recent US strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel is a reminder that the US military had for years resisted getting more deeply involved in counternarcotics.

Latin America Maritime Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

What to know about Trump’s war on drug trafficking from Venezuela

By Atlantic Council experts

The recent US strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat is best understood in the context of the Trump administration’s policies toward Venezuela and the wider Western Hemisphere.

Caribbean Latin America

New Atlanticist

Aug 29, 2025

Why are US warships heading toward Venezuela?

By Atlantic Council experts

Three Aegis guided-missile destroyers and several other US warships are headed to the waters near Venezuela. Two Atlantic Council experts explain why and what to expect next.

Latin America Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Aug 6, 2025

How the US and Colombia can tackle crime, migration, and fallout from Venezuela’s crisis

By Lucie Kneip, Geoff Ramsey

Despite differences in priorities and political approaches, opportunities exist for the US and Colombia to coordinate policy that promotes stability in Venezuela and the broader region.

Colombia Corruption

Issue Brief

Jul 10, 2025

Two US policy options for Venezuela: Shaping reform vs. ‘maximum pressure’ toward regime collapse

By Venezuela Solutions Group

The White House faces a choice: Should it use sanctions leverage to try to extract concessions from Nicolas Maduro on energy security, migration, and democratic reforms? Or should it bet on a return to “maximum pressure" in the hopes of precipitating a transition in Caracas?

Democratic Transitions Energy & Environment