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Luigi Einaudi

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Event information

Luigi Einaudi

“Venezuela – Is There a Path Back to Democracy?”

DATE: November 12, 2024 6:00 pm

LOCATION: World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Venezuela, which has the richest oil reserves of any country, was a thriving democracy in the second half of the 20 th century, that is until the election of populist Hugo Chavez 1998. Chavez, a military officer-turned politician, dismantled the country’s democratic institutions and invited in Cuban advisers and methods of repression. Spending on social programs and the collapse of the oil economy in the early 2010s plunged the country into hyperinflation.  Political turmoil, illegitimate elections and the collapse of social service and infrastructure have left Venezuelans in a severe humanitarian crisis.

 

In its latest elections last July, the opposition candidate was the clear winner, with 67 % of the vote according to actual vote tallies. But President Nicola Maduro, who succeeded Chavez in 2013, declared himself the victor – without any documentation. The Biden administration had suspended the tough sanctions of the Trump administration in hopes it would lead to an open and free vote, and that actually worked. But Maduro denounced winner Edmundo Gonzales as a war criminal, forcing the former diplomat into exile. The Organization of American States could not agree on a common policy to demand the release of electoral data.

 

Some 7 million Venezuelans have already fled the country, 0-at least a half million to the United States, and there may be millions more to come. Is there anything the United States can do to help Venezuela return to the democratic path?

 

Our next speaker, Luigi Einaudi, was one of the top policy experts for the Americas for over 20 years. He formulated the Reagan administration’s Caribbean Basin Initiative, then went on to serve as the US ambassador to the OAS, assistant secretary-general and for a time acting secretary General. He was the U.S. envoy in the successful negotiations leading to a peace agreement in the long-running conflict between Peru and Ecuador. He argues that U.S. influence in the vital Caribbean Basin region has receded, and the first step to reverse that trend is to revive an economic pact like the Caribbean initiative. 

 

Please join us for an in-person discussion (Also on Zoom) on what the United States can

do in the face of Venezuela’s political turmoil

 

To register, please contact programs@bcfausa.org for more information.

Background

The Venezuela Crisis Explained:
For more information on the historical developments and context that shape today’s political
situation in Venezuela, please see:
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/venezuela-crisis – last updated in July 2024
https://www.cfr.org/timeline/venezuelas-chavez-era
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48121148 – Published August 2024

Human Rights and Recent News
For more information on the humanitarian impact of the current situation in Venezuela, please
see:
https://www.wola.org/analysis/venezuela-beyond-elections-cracking-authoritarianism-through-
human-rights/ – Published October 2024
https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/venezuela

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.