Stay Updated

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

AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

May 5, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: May 5, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Following a call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro on April 20, the Spanish-language version of Kremlin-funded website Avia.pro, Avia-es.com, claimed Russia would support the Bolivarian Republic by sending troops to confront U.S. forces stationed in the Caribbean Sea, near the coast of Venezuela.

Disinformation Venezuela

In the News

Apr 28, 2020

Nia in Just Security: How to Hold Venezuela’s Maduro Accountable for Human Rights Abuses

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2020

Guaidó’s National Emergency Government can prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Venezuela

By Cristina Guevara

Guaidó’s national emergency government presents a viable solution to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis, and the dictatorship that has decimated the country.

Coronavirus Corruption
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Apr 28, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: April 28, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

False diets, cures, and homemade recipes to treat or prevent COVID-19 have appeared on Venezuela’s news outlets, social media, and Maduro regime announcements since February 28, 2020.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2020

Coronavirus will worsen Venezuela’s emergency, interim president says

By David A. Wemer

“This right now is an unprecedented emergency,” Guaidó said during an April 23 event with the Atlantic Council moderated by journalist and CBS news contributor María Elena Salinas. “Venezuela cannot survive both a pandemic and a famine,” he explained.

Coronavirus Democratic Transitions
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Apr 21, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: April 21, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

As thousands of Venezuelans who lost their livelihoods to the COVID outbreak return to their home country, pro-Maduro outlets claimed the Colombian government had stolen funds meant to support these Venezuelan migrants.

Disinformation Venezuela

EnergySource

Apr 20, 2020

Containing Russian influence in Venezuela

By David L. Goldwyn and Andrea Clabough

The Russian government has been instrumental in preserving the Maduro regime, despite years of intense domestic and international pressure favoring a democratic transition, providing the regime invaluable diplomatic leverage, security personnel, and material, as well as an economic lifeline. The US strategy for a democratic Venezuela must recognize these realities and focus on containing Russian influence in Venezuela, as it cannot end it.

Economic Sanctions Economy & Business

In the News

Apr 16, 2020

D’Sola featured on SupChina’s podcast Sinica: China’s Venezuelan vicissitudes

By Atlantic Council

On April 16, 2020, Parsifal D’Sola was featured on an episode of SupChina’s podcast Sinica, “China’s Venezuelan vicissitudes.” D’Sola, along with Kaiser Kuo and Jeremy Goldkorn, discussed “China’s strategy in the resource-rich but economically devastated Venezuela.”

China Venezuela
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Apr 15, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: April 15, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

In an attempt to divert attention away from the economic and health crisis in Venezuela, regime officials, pro-Maduro media outlets, and pro-Maduro Twitter accounts focused their publications on recent U.S.-led counter-narcotic operations in the region and COVID-19 reports about Colombia between April 9–13.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Apr 14, 2020

President Duque outlines how Colombia is handling dual coronavirus challenges

By David A. Wemer

For most countries around the world, the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has strained resources and demanded singular attention from policymakers. For Colombia, this new crisis must also be juggled with the ongoing collapse of neighboring Venezuela, which has already seen 2 million Venezuelans seek refuge in Colombia. “We have had to manage two crises at the same time,” President Iván Duque explained on April 14, which forced Colombia to take drastic measures to contain coronavirus earlier than many of its neighbors.

Colombia Coronavirus

Experts