CITGO: Where Big Business meets National Crisis

Turmoil in Venezuela has been an ongoing reality for the past several years and one company in particular is now caught in the crosshairs between their own government’s bad behavior and world-wide sanctions and condemnation. Citgo is t]he U.S. subsidiary of the state owned Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A (PDVSA) in Venezuela, which is wholly owned … Read more

Venezuela in Crisis: A Socialist Dystopia

City-wide protests have occurred daily throughout Venezuela, a politically divided and economically destitute country, which was once South America’s wealthiest nation. Police meet protesters with rampant arrests, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Since the beginning of April, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have protested President Nicolás Maduro’s socialist government and its perpetration of the nation’s … Read more

Who is to Blame for the Venezuela – Colombia Border Crisis?

Many Colombians are leaving Venezuela by crossing the Tachira river. (courtesy of BBC) In an effort to restore peace and order along the Colombian border, the President of Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro, has declared a state of emergency. Border crossings between Venezuela and Colombia have closed, martial law has been enacted in border regions, and Colombians … Read more

Critical Analysis: Protests and Violence Continue in Venezuela

Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro continued to protest this past weekend, despite a controversial court ruling limiting protests in the troubled country. The Venezuelan Supreme Court ruling gives police the power to suspend protests that don’t have a permit. The ruling states that Article 68 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which provides for a right … Read more

Venezuelan Elections: What’s Next?

  President Hugo Chavez’s work to nationalize Venezuela’s petroleum market and anti-American sentiments lead to strained relations between the United States and Venezuela from Chavez’s election in 1999 until his death this past March.  Not surprisingly, the United States government and private petroleum industries watched carefully as Venezuelans hit the polls to vote for Chavez’s … Read more

Post Chávez Venezuela: The End of “21st Century Socialism” or Just New Management?

Venezuela’s controversial President Hugo Chávez died on March 5, 2013, after struggling with cancer since June 2011.  As Venezuela prepares for the presidential election that is scheduled for April 14th, many wonder how Chávez’s death will impact Venezuela’s place in the international community.  Chávez was a polarizing figure with enthusiastic supporters, and equally enthusiastic critics, … Read more

Critical Analysis: South America’s Most Controversial President has More Surgery as the Future of Venezuelan Politics Blurs

As of December 18th, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez remains in stable condition as he continues to undergo cancer treatment in Cuba. The Venezuelan government reported that Chavez, 58, had recently suffered a respiratory infection but is now resting. Chavez remains in Cuba and is recovering from another surgery to fight cancer that is believed to … Read more