Closed door conversations in multiple spaces and with multiple logics—sometimes mutually-reinforcing, sometimes at cross-purposes—are taking place among the main actors in the Venezuela conflict, national and international.
The Norwegian government sent diplomats to Caracas last week, in order to get …
The United States’ significant ramping up of sanctions last week had the predictable effect of undermining the negotiations taking place in Barbados and mediated by Norway. Nicolás Maduro suspended his government’s participation, saying they could not negotiate in the face …
The new sanctions and the theatrics surrounding their announcement amount to a reassertion of the U.S. role in the Venezuelan conflict.
DS: In your several pieces on U.S. sanctions including one published on this blog ten months ago you outline how the August 2017 sanctions affected oil production. Could you briefly summarize the mechanism through which they reduced oil production?
FR: …
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees congratulated Brazil for recognizing (many) Venezuelan migrants as refugees, based on the Cartagena Declaration of 1984. The Cartagena declaration significantly expands the classic notion of refugee as someone fleeing violence or persecution, to …
Guaidó’s calculation seems to be that this balancing act will mollify the opposition’s radical wing while negotiations take place, and if and when they reach a deal with the government it will be compelling enough to get these radicals to fall in line.
Guaidó sent the same group of moderates to Barbados. On July 16 he suggested some progress was being made. “We are getting close to a real solution.” Presumably speaking of elections he continued “we all know what that means.” This reinforces reports of progress from last week.
El Centro Wilson publicó al ensayo de Abe Lowenthal y yo en español. Gracias a Hugo Pérez Hernáiz por la traducción y a Cindy Arnson por publicarlo.
Aquí un resúmen.
Yesterday, National Assembly President Juan Guaidó announced that the Venezuelan opposition will meet with Maduro government representatives in Barbados, thereby resuming the negotiation process being guided by Norwegian diplomats. Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs…
