Venezuela Update

Following the elections in Venezuela on 20^th May, this event will be an opportunity to re-assess the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Venezuela, as well as discuss the impact of the ongoing crisis on neighbouring countries.

Nicolas Maduro’s re-election on 20^th May was widely condemned as undemocratic, spurring the Organisation of American States (OAS) to vote on 5^th June in favour of tough resolutions against Venezuela. Apparent attempts at conciliation on Maduro’s part, such as the release of a number of prisoners who were arrested for allegedly instigating political violence, have been rejected by the opposition. Meanwhile, financial meltdown threatens the government, with debt default likely inevitable, and the country’s humanitarian crisis persists, with four out of five Venezuelans now living below the poverty line.

Canning House is delighted to welcome a panel of experts to discuss different aspects of the Venezuelan crisis: Diego Moya-Ocampos, Principal Political Risk Analyst at IHS Markit, will discuss political and violent risk; Carlos Bellorin, Principal Petroleum Analyst at IHS Markit also, will focus on the question of oil production in Venezuela and the knock-on effect on neighbouring Caribbean countries; Dr Alejandro Arenas-Pinto, Senior Clinical Research Associate at UCL's Institute for Global Health, will present on the humanitarian aspect of the crisis, focusing on health and sanitation; Luisa Feline Freier, Assistant Professor of Social and Political Sciences at Universidad del Pacifico (Peru) will discuss the regional policy reactions to the Venezuelan displacement crisis. Cristina Cortes, CEO of Canning House, will chair the event.