Overview
Following US military operations on 3 January which removed President Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, the country remains at a critical political and economic crossroads, with the durability of the regime under renewed scrutiny, economically fragile and facing international pressure.
This webinar examined the regime’s prospects and the role of external actors in shaping Venezuela’s short- and medium-term future. Panellists assessed whether meaningful political change remains possible or whether the country is settling into a prolonged period of authoritarian stagnation. The discussion placed Venezuela within the wider context of US–Latin American relations, exploring how Washington’s evolving policy is reshaping hemispheric dynamics.
The panel also explored the implications for Europe and the UK, including the impact on transatlantic coordination, energy security, migration and the defence of the rules-based international order. The panel will consider how UK and European policymakers can balance principled support for democratic outcomes with pragmatic engagement, and what Venezuela’s trajectory means for Europe’s wider strategic interests in the Americas.
Panellists:
- Fiona Clouder, RUSI Distinguished Fellow and former UK Regional Ambassador to Latin America.
- Richard Kouyoumdjian Inglis, RUSI Senior Associate Fellow and Executive Vice Chairman of AthenaLab.
- Dr Carlos Solar, Senior Research Fellow in Latin American Security, RUSI.
The webinar was moderated by Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Security, RUSI.
