What: American University experts in U.S. foreign policy, Latin America, and conflict and foreign aid are available for commentary and analysis on the political crisis in Venezuela.

When: February 11 – ongoing

Where: On campus, in studio, via telephone or Skype

Experts Available:

Fulton Armstrong is a senior fellow at AU’s Center for Latin American and Latino Studies. Before joining the center, he followed Latin American affairs for almost 30 years in a number of U.S. government positions. He is available to discuss U.S.-led efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, possible outcomes and their implications, and the Cuba-Venezuela relationship. 

Prof. Armstrong says: “The strategy to remove President Maduro from power is well under way, but the outcome – and its implications – are still far from clear. It would be naïve to think that, whether National Assembly President Guaidó is installed in the Presidency or not, the country will heal and be stable quickly. It’s also naïve to think that bringing down the Maduro government will somehow put Cuba on the death spiral that some seem to want.”

Michael McCarthy is a Research Fellow at the American University’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies, and the Founder and CEO of Caracas Wire, a strategic research consultancy covering Venezuela and geo-politics in the Americas. McCarthy is a recognized expert in Latin American politics, U.S.-Latin American relations, democratization, populism, civil society, and issues of media balance and bias.

William LeoGrande is Professor at American University’s School of Public Affairs. He specializes in Latin American politics and U.S. relations with Latin America, with a particular focus on Central America and Cuba. He has written for a wide range of scholarly and popular publications including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The National Interest, The Nation, the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Newsweek, and The Huffington Post.

Prof. LeoGrande says: “If the Venezuelan military stays loyal to Maduro, the only way out of the current crisis is through negotiations. Cuba could help find a peaceful political solution, as it did in Colombia, if only the Trump administration would stop threatening it.”

Jessica Trisko Darden is Assistant Professor at American University’s School of International Service and Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Her work focuses on the politicization of foreign aid. Her commentary on foreign aid and political violence has appeared in The HillThe Washington Post's PostEverythingMonkey Cage, among other publications.

 

 

About American University

In its 125-year history, American University has established a reputation for producing change makers focused on the challenges of a changing world. AU has garnered recognition for global education, public service, experiential learning and politically active and diverse students, as well as academic and research expertise in a wide range of areas including the arts, sciences, humanities, business and communication, political science and policy, governance, law and diplomacy.

 

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