David Smilde
Friday, April 11, 2014 - 00:00
One of the reasons for Venezuela's incredible political polarization during the Chavez period has been the lack of spaces in which the government and opposition meet face to face.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 - 00:00
It is interesting to think how different this is from Hugo Chavez's approach to the same plaza 11-12 years ago
Thursday, March 13, 2014 - 00:00
Among the dead are: 10 opposition activists, 4 government supporters, 7 citizens not participating in the protests, 3 National Guardsman.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 - 00:00
The statement underlines the middle class character of the student protest movement. There are no mentions of issues such as equality or poverty reduction that could grow the movement beyond its traditional base.
Monday, March 3, 2014 - 00:00
The student protestors have brought forth legitimate and urgent complaints. It is time for Venezuela’s political leadership to pick up its game and allow the students to return to their studies
Thursday, February 20, 2014 - 00:00
President Nicolas Maduro justified the censuring measure declaring: "a television channel [NTN24] that is trying to compete with Telesur, attempted to broadcast the chaos of a coup d’etat…I had to defend Venezuela’s peace." He also scolded
Thursday, February 20, 2014 - 00:00
It is doubtful that the government actively sought this confrontation. But it does seem likely that they see Lopez as a desirable opponent that is unlikely to put together a majority against Chavismo.
Friday, February 14, 2014 - 00:00
Here I am going to look at the set of political interests of the major actors and how they might be related to what we know happened.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014 - 00:00
The elections, as well as Rodriquez Torres’ presence at the inauguration, suggest that citizen participation in security will not be totally abandoned.
Monday, February 10, 2014 - 00:00
There have been a number of security announcements made in the past few weeks that suggest citizen security reform is not dead.