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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

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2019

Buy-In from allies critical for effective sanctions, says former US Treasury Secretary Lew

By David A. Wemer

Sanctions can only be effective, Lew argued, if the sanctioned country believes there will be “meaningful and lasting relief” once it changes its behavior.

Economic Sanctions Iran

New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2019

Maduro’s days are over, says Colombian President Duque

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Colombia’s leader calls on Venezuelan military to support interim President Juan Guaidó

Colombia Venezuela

Event Recap

Feb 14, 2019

President Iván Duque Márquez: Colombia’s domestic and regional opportunities and challenges

By Chloe Zoeller, Katherine Pereira & Camila Hernandez

On Thursday, February 14, His Excellency Iván Duque Márquez, president of the Republic of Colombia, discussed Colombia’s ambitious agenda for transitional justice, economic reform, and regional leadership. Duque, who was sworn in as president of Colombia in August 2018, was interviewed by CNBC Contributor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera. The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center at the Atlantic […]

China Colombia

In the News

Feb 11, 2019

Charai in The Hill: We Should Accelerate Positive Changes in Venezuela Without Using Our Military

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 5, 2019

Wald Joins Bloomberg to Discuss EU Nations Backing Opposition Venezuela Leader

By Ellen Wald

Watch the full discussion here

Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Feb 5, 2019

Venezuela update: More recognition for Juan Guaidó

By Ashish Kumar Sen

What you have right now is a dangerous cocktail of a domestic situation in Venezuela that has the potential to move in the right direction with the growing role of the Guaidó government, but could also lead to a great power conflict that will have implications across the hemisphere.

Democratic Transitions Political Reform

In the News

Feb 4, 2019

Marczak Joins BBC to Discuss Venezuela Opposition Recognition

By Jason Marczak

Watch the full discussion here

Venezuela

Inflection Points

Feb 2, 2019

Venezuela and great power competition

By Frederick Kempe

The contest for the future of Venezuela will have outsized consequences on what forces and values – democratic or autocratic – will determine not only the country’s future but also influence the regional and global future.

Democratic Transitions International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2019

New Venezuela sanctions need timely results

By Samantha Sultoon

One lesson of sanctions policy is that sanctions can work, but rarely on an ambitious timetable.

Economic Sanctions Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Jan 30, 2019

Venezuela’s interim government shuns Maduro’s offer of dialogue

By Ashish Kumar Sen

"The only thing we will accept is our agenda: how do we negotiate his exit?" says Carlos Vecchio, Juan Guaidó’s representative in Washington.

Venezuela

Experts