Please join the Council of the Americas and Freedom House for a public discussion on future scenarios for Venezuela, in light of mass protests that gripped the country on September 1. Low oil prices and gross economic mismanagement have crippled the Venezuelan economy, creating high inflation, food and medical shortages and increased violence. The political opposition, now in control of the National Assembly following legislative elections last December, has called for a recall referendum of President Nicolás Maduro this year, consistent with Venezuela’s constitution. In response, the government has been taking increasingly strong-armed measures such as tightening restrictions on the press and detaining political opponents—which have drawn criticism from the United States, the Organization of American States, and human rights groups. Panelists will discuss these developments and future scenarios on the day after the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
Speakers:
Jorge Fernando Quiroga, former President of Bolivia
Mitzy Ledezma, Venezuelan Human Rights Activist
Ana Julia Jatar, Editor-in-Chief, El Planeta, Boston
Eric Farnsworth, Vice President, Americas Society/Council of the Americas
Daniel Calingaert, Executive Vice President, Freedom House