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

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

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

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

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

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.

Learn more

Content

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

In the News

Nov 14, 2025

Kroenig in Foreign Policy on ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

On November 7, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director Matthew Kroenig published an article in Foreign Policy titled “Trump Should Oust Maduro.” In the article, Kroenig lays out how President Trump could remove President Maduro from power without using military force.

Political Reform Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2025

Facing the threat of US strikes, Maduro has requested Russia’s help. He shouldn’t expect much.

By Imran Bayoumi, Shelby Magid

Focused on its war against Ukraine and struggling with the effects of Western sanctions, the Kremlin is unlikely to provide significant assistance to the Maduro regime.

Conflict Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

New Atlanticist

Sep 12, 2025

Was Trump’s strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat legal?

By Celeste Kmiotek

It’s worth looking in detail at where the US strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel on September 2 sits in relation to international law.

Maritime Security Rule of Law

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

Why the Pentagon had been reluctant to combat narco-trafficking in the Western Hemisphere

By Kevin Whitaker

The recent US strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel is a reminder that the US military had for years resisted getting more deeply involved in counternarcotics.

Latin America Maritime Security

New Atlanticist

Sep 10, 2025

What to know about Trump’s war on drug trafficking from Venezuela

By Atlantic Council experts

The recent US strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat is best understood in the context of the Trump administration’s policies toward Venezuela and the wider Western Hemisphere.

Caribbean Latin America
Load More

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
Daniel Suarez Perez

Staff

Daniel Suárez Pérez

Research Associate, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Colombia Conflict
Load More