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

Dispatches Jun 17, 2026

The recent US-Venezuelan strike on Tren de Aragua’s leader will reverberate across Latin America

By Henry Shuldiner

The June 12 operation that killed the leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua sets a new precedent for cooperation with the United States.

Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade Latin America

Issue Brief Jun 15, 2026

Updating the Democratic Transition Framework to chart a way forward in Venezuela

By Geoff Ramsey

To seize the opportunity for a democratic transition in Venezuela in the wake of Nicolás Maduro’s January capture, the United States should update a power-sharing framework proposed in 2020 to serve as a road map for the restoration of Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

Americas Democratic Transitions

Dispatches Apr 12, 2026

Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

By James Story and David Bellon

Using Plan Colombia as a model, the United States should commit to a long-term, well-funded effort to bring security to Venezuela.

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

Online Event Mon, July 6, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

Recovery and reconstruction in post-earthquake Venezuela

Americas Crisis Management Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Public Event Tue, April 28, 2026 • 3:00 pm ET

Reporters at risk: What the future holds for the press in Venezuela after Maduro

Americas Latin America Resilience Resilience & Society

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

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

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.

Learn more

Content

Dispatches

Jun 17, 2026

The recent US-Venezuelan strike on Tren de Aragua’s leader will reverberate across Latin America

By Henry Shuldiner

The June 12 operation that killed the leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua sets a new precedent for cooperation with the United States.

Financial Crimes & Illicit Trade Latin America

Issue Brief

Jun 15, 2026

Updating the Democratic Transition Framework to chart a way forward in Venezuela

By Geoff Ramsey

To seize the opportunity for a democratic transition in Venezuela in the wake of Nicolás Maduro's January capture, the United States should update a power-sharing framework proposed in 2020 to serve as a road map for the restoration of Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

Americas Democratic Transitions

EnergySource

Jun 12, 2026

How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

By Charles Hendry, David L. Goldwyn, Lee Beck, Phillip Cornell, Ben Cahill

Read the reflections of Atlantic Council experts on the 2026 Global Energy Forum that explored how the US, allies, and partners can fortify interconnections against the weaponization of energy.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Dispatches

Apr 12, 2026

Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

By James Story and David Bellon

Using Plan Colombia as a model, the United States should commit to a long-term, well-funded effort to bring security to Venezuela.

Colombia Economy & Business

UkraineAlert

Mar 17, 2026

The Iran war is good for the Russian economy but bad for Putin’s prestige

By Maksym Beznosiuk, Will Dixon

From Armenia and Syria to Venezuela and Iran, Moscow’s inability since 2022 to aid its allies in times of crisis has seriously damaged Russia’s reputation as a global power, write Maksym Beznosiuk and Will Dixon.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

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

Experts

Fellow

Brian O’Toole

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Cuba Economy & Business

Fellow

Iria Puyosa

Senior Research Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Americas Civil Society

Fellow

Geoff Ramsey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Civil Society Colombia

Fellow

Erika Rodríguez

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

European Union International Organizations

Staff

Henry Shuldiner

Associate Director

Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

Colombia English

Staff

Daniel Suárez Pérez

Research Associate, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Colombia Conflict

Events

Online Event Mon, July 6, 2026 • 2:00 pm ET

Recovery and reconstruction in post-earthquake Venezuela

Americas Crisis Management Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Share

Venezuela

Recent analysis

The recent US-Venezuelan strike on Tren de Aragua’s leader will reverberate across Latin America

Updating the Democratic Transition Framework to chart a way forward in Venezuela

Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

Events

Recovery and reconstruction in post-earthquake Venezuela

Reporters at risk: What the future holds for the press in Venezuela after Maduro

The fight for influence in Venezuela against Russia, China, Iran, and Cuba

Venezuela’s public opinion in the post-Maduro era

Programs

Content

The recent US-Venezuelan strike on Tren de Aragua’s leader will reverberate across Latin America

Updating the Democratic Transition Framework to chart a way forward in Venezuela

How to build energy resilience in an uncertain, contested world

Washington needs a ‘Plan Venezuela’ before it’s too late

The Iran war is good for the Russian economy but bad for Putin’s prestige

Lessons from Sudan for US economic engagement with Venezuela

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

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

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

How the IMF can help Venezuela stabilize its economy

Experts

Brian O’Toole

Iria Puyosa

Geoff Ramsey

Erika Rodríguez

Henry Shuldiner

Daniel Suárez Pérez

Events

Recovery and reconstruction in post-earthquake Venezuela

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