Understanding Venezuela Initiative

In light of the recent, extraordinary developments in Venezuela—specifically the extraction of de facto president Nicolás Maduro following U.S. military operations—we find ourselves at a critical juncture for the future of the nation and its relationship with the world. Many in our community are seeking to understand: What comes next? Who are the key players? What are the historical forces that have shaped Venezuela’s crises?

To address these urgent questions, the Understanding Venezuela Initiative is pleased to present a series of events at UNC Charlotte. This initiative aims to provide a nuanced, in-depth exploration of Venezuela’s past, present, and potential futures through expert-led dialogue.

This program will unfold in three parts over the upcoming weeks. Register here: https://forms.gle/5RKvZfe5Sp4Fe8ww9

Venezuelan Voices: How to Understand What Happened on January 3rd

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, via Zoom

A critical first look at the immediate aftermath of the Maduro extraction and the prospects for a democratic transition, featuring people with diverse lived experience of the Venezuelan crisis. 

Panelists: Francis Terán, spouse of former political prisoner. Tibisay Mendoza, feminist and environmental activist. Francisco Velasco, Ph.D., anthropologist and professor at Universidad Central de Venezuela. Erick Camargo, historian and lawyer, member of the Venezuelan Observatory of Political Ecology.

Venezuela 101: Conversations on Extractivism and the Petro-State

Dates: Mondays, April 6, 13, 20, 27 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM, via Zoom

A four-session, expert-facilitated seminar delving into the structural roots of the Venezuelan crisis using Fernando Coronil’s seminal work, The Magical State: Nature, Money and Modernity in Venezuela (readings optional and pre-circulated). 

Venezuela’s Future: A Dialogue on Democracy, Society, and Extractivism

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM, via Zoom

A culminating conversation that re-assesses the evolving political landscape in Venezuela and lays out a vision for a desirable future, informed by historical lessons and current realities. 

Panelists: Greg Weeks, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs at UNC Charlotte, Liliana Buitrago, MSc., ecofeminist scholar-activist, and Francisco Velasco, Ph.D., Professor at Universidad Central de Venezuela.

This initiative is sponsored by the Free Expression and Creative Dialogue grant, the CHESS Dean’s Office, the departments of Political Science, Global Studies, and Philosophy, and the program in Latin American Studies. All events are free and open to the public.

We encourage you to join us for what promises to be a vital and timely conversation. Please feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested.

For any questions, please contact pedro.monque@charlotte.edu