David Smilde is a Former WOLA Senior Fellow and the Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations at Tulane University. He founded the WOLA Venezuela Politics and Human Rights blog and curated it from 2012-2020. He has lived in or worked on Venezuela since 1992, and has researched Venezuela for the past 30 years. He has taught at the Universidad Central de Venezuela and the Universidad Católica Ándres Bello. He is currently working on a book manuscript called Venezuela’s Transition to Illiberalism: Hugo Chávez and 21st Century Socialism, 2007-2012.
I participated in a Q&A on Venezuela's regional elections in the Inter-American Dialogue's Latin America Advisor, along with Michael Shifter, Vanessa Newmann and Julia Buxton. The question and my response are below. The entire exchange in PDF can be read here. Q....
This week, WOLA Senior Fellow and Tulane University Professor David Smilde published a study for the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program through which he traces the evolution of Venezuela’s chavismo from its beginnings as a version of left populism based on the charisma of former President Hugo Chávez, to its turn toward socialism, to its current authoritarian incarnation under Nicolás Maduro.
Read the full report Lea el resumen en español Venezuela is experiencing an intractable political conflict marked by increasing repression and the dissolution of the country’s democratic institutions, leading to a grinding humanitarian and economic crisis. This...
Tuve el gusto de hablar con Cesar Miguel Rondón en su programa En Conexion. Hablamos de las posibilidades de un nuevo proceso de negociación y la falta de cambio en la dirección de la oposición. La conversación tuvo como trampolín una entrevista que hice con Hugo...
When a new administration takes office on January 20, Venezuela’s descent into authoritarianism will pose a unique challenge to President-elect Joe Biden and his foreign policy advisors. Venezuela’s de facto government under Nicolás Maduro appears more consolidated...
Como saben, estoy de año sabatico, escribiendo un libro, haciendo un esfuerzo de no hablar con los medios ni meterme en las redes sociales. Pero mi amiga Antonieta La Rocca me entusiasmó con una invitación a su nuevo programa, así que no pude resistir. Hablamos sobre...
Venezuelan activists and opinion-makers are expressing concern about the humanitarian implications of an impending tightening of sanctions that could impede importation of diesel fuel. The latter is essential for transportation, agriculture and electricity generation....
On August 11, Venezuela’s Episcopal Conference released a statement surprinsg many. While it condemned the irregularities committed by the government, it strongly suggested the opposition needs to come up with an alternative strategy to mobilize Venezuelans. [An...
[We will be taking a break next week but will publish the Venezuela Weekly again in third week of August.] Venezuela's main opposition parties announced that they would not participate in the December 6 legislative elections. In their statement they say they took this...
A few months before the U.S. presidential elections Democrats are discussing potential policy changes regarding Venezuela if their candidate were to win. According to the party platform, a Biden administration would review sectoral sanctions and seek "more effective...