Press freedoms have steadily deteriorated in Venezuela, and journalists attempting to report on the country’s growing political, economic, and human rights crises are facing increasingly dangerous conditions. As a result, getting reliable information about what is happening in Venezuela is more difficult than ever. However, there are windows of opportunity: quality digital media sites have experienced dramatic growth in recent years. One such website is Efecto Cocuyo, run by experienced political journalist Luz Mely Reyes. She is currently in the United States to receive the 2018 International Press Freedom Award. Join us for a discussion on the latest regarding Venezuela’s crisis with Luz Mely and WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde. Please RSVP here.

Event Details:

Friday, November 16

1:00-2:30 p.m. EDT

Washington Office on Latin America

1666 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 400

Featuring:

Luz Mely Reyes, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of Efecto Cocuyo,

and

David Smilde, WOLA Senior Fellow, Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations at Tulane University

Please note that translation for this discussion will be provided.

This event will be webcast live.

Luz Mely Reyes has covered politics in her native Venezuela for more than 25 years, with a focus on elections. She is the co-founder and general director of Efecto Cocuyo, an independent digital site based in Caracas. In 2012, she was named editor-in-chief of Diario 2001, becoming the first woman to hold this position at a national newspaper in Venezuela. She has received several recognitions including the Victory Awards and the 2018 International Press Freedom Award.

David Smilde has conducted research on Venezuela for the past twenty-five years, with a focus on social movements, human rights, and culture. He is the Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations at Tulane University and moderates the WOLA Venezuela Politics and Human Rights blog. He has taught at the Universidad Central de Venezuela and the Universidad Católica Ándres Bello.