The School of Public Policy welcomed Angelo Rivero Santos, director of academic affairs at Georgetown University Center for Latin American Studies and former Chargé d'Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy to the United States, for a conversation examining current policy debates surrounding U.S.–Venezuela relations. Rivero Santos joined Gustavo Flores-Macías, dean of the School of Public Policy, for a moderated discussion that placed recent developments in Venezuela within a broader historical and regional context. The conversation considered political, economic and humanitarian dimensions of U.S. involvement, along with its implications for Venezuelan governance, regional stability and international relations.
The discussion examined Venezuela’s political evolution, its long-standing reliance on oil revenues and the effects of shifting regional and global dynamics. Participants examined how these forces have shaped internal governance challenges and influenced relationships across the hemisphere.
Attention also turned to the economic consequences of prolonged instability, including migration across Latin America and the Caribbean and the pressures this movement has placed on receiving countries. The conversation explored how economic conditions, institutional capacity and international policy decisions intersect in shaping outcomes for Venezuelans both inside and outside the country.
Students, faculty and staff engaged in a wide-ranging question-and-answer session that addressed regional responses, international law and the challenges of political transition. The exchange reflected the School’s commitment to fostering thoughtful dialogue on complex global issues and connecting academic expertise with contemporary policy debates.
