Venezuela

Following the US removal of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela stands at a pivotal moment after years of economic mismanagement, cronyism, and democratic erosion. Leaders must seize this moment to usher in a Venezuela where people overcome economic paralysis, live without fear of the state, and freely choose who represents them in the government.

Recent analysis

Lessons from Sudan for US economic engagement with Venezuela

Memo to… Feb 3, 2026

Memo to the president: Steps to secure a prosperous, US-aligned Venezuela

By Jason Marczak, Ambassador James Story, General (ret.) Laura J. Richardson, and Geoff Ramsey

One month after Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power, Washington has significant leverage it can use in the short term to boost the odds of a stable, democratic Venezuela emerging in the long term. To that end, our experts lay out the tough asks the US government should make of interim president Delcy Rodríguez.
Corruption Democratic Transitions
Lessons from Sudan for US economic engagement with Venezuela

Dispatches Feb 26, 2026

Lessons from Sudan for US economic engagement with Venezuela

By Lesley Chavkin

Sudan offers important lessons for the United States as it looks to stabilize Venezuela and rebuild its economy following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
Lessons from Sudan for US economic engagement with Venezuela

Dispatches Jan 28, 2026

To boost Venezuela’s economic recovery, the US should lean into Colombia

By Enrique Millán-Mejía

With the right safeguards in place, increased US coordination with Colombia can help boost Venezuela’s reconstruction.
Colombia Economy & Business

Our Venezuela Forward series sheds light on the country’s future through programming and analysis that advance ideas to promote economic stabilization and a democratic transition.

Events

Public Event Wed, February 18, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Venezuela’s public opinion in the post-Maduro era
Americas Civil Society Democratic Transitions Latin America
Online Event Tue, February 3, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

One month without Maduro: On the ground perspectives
Americas Democratic Transitions International Norms Latin America
Public Event Tue, January 6, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

After Maduro: A new dawn for Venezuela
Americas Democratic Transitions Latin America Politics & Diplomacy

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.

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Content

Dispatches

Feb 26, 2026

Lessons from Sudan for US economic engagement with Venezuela

By Lesley Chavkin

Sudan offers important lessons for the United States as it looks to stabilize Venezuela and rebuild its economy following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Dispatches

Feb 2, 2026

To repair US-Colombia ties, Trump and Petro should focus on counternarcotics and Venezuela

By Kevin Whitaker

By focusing on shared interests on counternarcotics and Venezuela, Tuesday's Oval Office meeting between the US and Colombian presidents can put the two nations’ bilateral relations on a better path.

Colombia Crisis Management

Dispatches

Jan 28, 2026

To boost Venezuela’s economic recovery, the US should lean into Colombia

By Enrique Millán-Mejía

With the right safeguards in place, increased US coordination with Colombia can help boost Venezuela’s reconstruction.

Colombia Economy & Business

Dispatches

Jan 20, 2026

Three charts that show the long shadow of Maduro’s economic disaster in Venezuela

By Ignacio Albe, Enrique Millán-Mejía

Under Maduro, Venezuela experienced one of the most dramatic economic collapses of modern history—and it may take fifty years to recover.

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

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
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Experts

Staff

Ilona Barrero

Project Assistant

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia English

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Parsifal D’Sola

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese

Fellow

Adriana D’Elia

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Civil Society English

Fellow

David L. Goldwyn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Global Energy Center

Caribbean Climate Change & Climate Action

Staff

Jason Marczak

Vice President and Senior Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Americas Argentina
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Events

Public Event Fri, March 20, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

The fight for influence in Venezuela against Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba
Americas Latin America Politics & Diplomacy Venezuela