Venezuela

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

Containing Russian influence in Venezuela

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
Containing Russian influence in 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
Containing Russian influence in 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

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 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
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

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

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.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

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

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2020

Fighting COVID-19 side by side with migrants

By Walter Cotte and Rebecca Scheurer

In uncertain times humanity historically comes together to embrace our commonalities. In the case of COVID-19, we can achieve more together if we include migrants as active participants in our efforts to quell the spread and impact of this disease.

Colombia Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Apr 3, 2020

The coronavirus infodemic in Latin America will cost lives

By Roberta Braga and Diego Area

Disinformation and misinformation, especially circulating within the biggest economy in Latin America (Brazil) and the country with the worst man-made humanitarian crisis in the hemisphere (Venezuela), can foment national catastrophes that will be felt well beyond the realms of the online information space and national borders.

Brazil Coronavirus

In the News

Apr 1, 2020

Cohen in Forbes: Russia’s Rosneft Cuts Ties With Venezuela While U.S. Offers A Peace Plan

By Atlantic Council

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Apr 1, 2020

Reconciling sanctions and humanitarian need during COVID-19

By Brian O’Toole

As the world economy shuts down to try to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, the humanitarian collateral effects of sanctions become more pronounced and potentially deadly. But the argument that the United States should unilaterally roll back sanctions draws a false dichotomy; sanctions do not have to be suspended or rolled back for the United States to better address humanitarian concerns.

Cuba Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 31, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 31, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Three Facebook groups impersonating the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared content about Maduro’s indictment for drug trafficking on March 26, 2020.

Disinformation Venezuela
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 25, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 25, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Two Venezuelan fringe websites created Facebook groups and pages impersonating well-known media outlets to promote their own content, apparently motivated by profit.

Disinformation Venezuela
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Experts

Staff

Ilona Barrero

Program 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 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