Venezuela at a Crossroads: Is the Barbados Agreement on Life Support?

Venezuela is at a crossroads, as the authoritarian regime led by Nicolás Maduro resists international pressure to hold democratic elections this year, as agreed upon in the Barbados Agreement last October. Venezuela has not set a date for elections and in January, its Supreme Court disqualified the winner of the opposition primary, María Corina Machado, from the presidential contest. The court ruling led the United States to reimpose some sanctions, examine snap back of future sanctions, and raised questions about the future of the Barbados Agreement. The outcome of this latest standoff has significant implications for human rights in Venezuela, the regional migration crisis, and global energy security. 

To learn more, join us for a conversation on the prospects for elections in Venezuela this year and the role of the United States, moderated by Leopoldo Lopez, with opening remarks from Amb. Brownfield, and a keynote address from President Duque.

Select Quotes

Eddy Acevedo

Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President and CEO, Wilson Center

"Venezuela is one of the largest refugee and humanitarian crisis in the world and it is not even a war zone compared to Ukraine and Syria."

Hon. William Brownfield 

Distinguished Fellow, Wilson Center

Career Ambassador serving as US Ambassador to Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia  (2001-2010) 

"If, on the other hand, you give all of your leverage, like existing sanctions in exchange for an ephemeral promise in the future, is that good negotiating or is that more questionable negotiating?

H.E. Iván Duque Márquez

Chair and Distinguished Fellow, Iván Duque Center for Prosperity and Freedom, Wilson Center

President of the Republic of Colombia (2018-2022)

"Red lines [for sanctions on Venezuela] that have been moved so many times and in so many ways, are not benefiting the Venezuelan people at all."

Mark Feierstein

Senior adviser, Latin America Program, US Institute of Peace

Senior adviser, Albright Stonebridge Group and GBAO

"There is an opening now for success that has not existed in some time.  It is a narrow opening--it is narrowing--but I think it's still there."

"The [Venezuelan] opposition presidential primary that took place in October would not have taken place were it not for US diplomacy and the negotiations between the United States and the regime."

"There's one thing that gives me hope though--it's the determination of the Venezuelan people."

Leopoldo Lopez

Founder and National Coordinator, Voluntad Popular

Co-Founder, World Liberty Congress

"As we know, what happens in Venezuela has had and will continue to have great impact in the region."

Isabel Carlota Roby

Staff Attorney (Latin America), Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights 

"Right now we see that NGOs are being targeted through the enactment of [Venezuelan] laws."

"The civil society in Venezuela is being attacked and persecuted as we speak."

Hon. Manuel Ventura Robles

Former Judge and Secretary, Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Former Chancellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica

"The international community must insistently publicize the reality of the facts against democratic institutions in Venezuela."