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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.

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

Dispatches

Jan 4, 2026

Venezuelan oil was the enabler, not the prize

By Landon Derentz

It will likely take years to rehabilitate the country’s energy sector and achieve a sizable increase in oil exports.

Energy & Environment
Oil and Gas

Fast Thinking

Jan 3, 2026

What to watch in a post-Maduro Venezuela

By Atlantic Council

President Donald Trump said the United States will now “run” Venezuela—but what will that mean in practice?

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

Dispatches

Jan 3, 2026

Experts react: The US just captured Maduro. What’s next for Venezuela and the region?

By Atlantic Council experts

What does the future hold for Venezuela following the US raid that removed Nicolás Maduro from power? Atlantic Council experts share their insights.

Democratic Transitions
Latin America

In the News

Jan 3, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: Peace Through Strength in Venezuela—and the World

By Atlantic Council

Americas
Democratic Transitions

Dispatches

Dec 17, 2025

What Trump’s Venezuela oil blockade means for Maduro and the world

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts react to news that the US military would soon impose a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into or out of Venezuela.

Caribbean
Democratic Transitions

Spotlight

Dec 17, 2025

Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026: Ten defining questions for the year ahead

By the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

A look at the ten defining questions that will shape Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026.

Argentina
Brazil

New Atlanticist

Dec 5, 2025

After Maduro

By Jason Marczak

Opposition leaders have a plan for a democratic transition when Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro leaves power.

Corruption
Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 26, 2025

How a Venezuela shock could raise global oil and food prices

By Joseph Webster, David L. Goldwyn

As US policymakers weigh their options in Venezuela, they should consider the possibility of a long energy recovery and spillover attacks in the region.

Conflict
Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Nov 25, 2025

How Venezuela uses crypto to sell oil—and what the US should do about it

By Maia Nikoladze

As US sanctions on Venezuela have intensified, the Maduro regime has grown increasingly interested in leveraging digital assets to facilitate oil transactions.

China
Digital Currencies

In the News

Nov 22, 2025

Sotiriadis on Fox News on Ukraine peace deal, Venezuela

On November 22, Jake Sotiriadis, nonresident senior fellow with the GeoStrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, appeared on Fox News to discuss President Trump’s proposed Russia-Ukraine peace deal and the administration’s actions in Venezuela.

Conflict
Politics & Diplomacy

Experts