Foreign Policy Blogs

Latin America & The Caribbean

Venezuela crisis spills over into Colombia

Venezuela crisis spills over into Colombia

Today Colombia is faced with one of the biggest migration crises in the world. As Venezuela continues to plummet to the depths of depression, roughly 35,000 Venezuelans cross the Colombian border daily in pursuit of survival. Fifteen months into the controversial peace treaty which ended 52 years of civil war, Colombia remains a socially and […]

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Warnings Issued on Travel to Cuba

Warnings Issued on Travel to Cuba

The United States Embassy in Havana in October.  CreditYamil Lage/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images On January 9, U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson opened a formal inquiry into mysterious “sonic attacks” purportedly damaging the health of U.S. diplomatic personnel stationed at the American Embassy in Cuba.  The first reports surfaced in December 2016, and since […]

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When Sanctions are Not Enough

When Sanctions are Not Enough

International banking has always been subject to laws and rules that apply where their head offices operate as well as via international rules and standards. For an international law to apply, it often has to be codified within a country, as even if the law is accepted and applied through international agreements or treaties, the […]

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The importance of the FARC’s 2018 political campaign

The importance of the FARC’s 2018 political campaign

On January 27, Rodrigo Londoño began his campaign for president of Colombia. Will this move help the FARC achieve greater acceptance and further the peace process, despite the unlikelihood of a political victory? Rodrigo Londoño is the leader of the FARC, which, in September 2017 became a political party in an attempt to vanquish a […]

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Voce Abusou: Corruption as a Permanent Impairment to Society

Voce Abusou: Corruption as a Permanent Impairment to Society

A well known song from Antonio Carlos e Jocafi could easily run though someone’s mind when reading about corruption in their native Brazil. Voce abusou, or You abuse me is how many citizens feel when members from political parties or elite members of a society take advantage of the public purse. It is not only a […]

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Price-fixing can only worsen the crisis in Venezuela

Price-fixing can only worsen the crisis in Venezuela

Venezuela is closer than ever to a full-blown humanitarian crisis, with its population being unable to satisfy dietary requirements amidst a climate of hyperinflation and collapse of national productivity. The government, instead of formulating a clear exit strategy, is forcing supermarkets and consumer goods manufacturers to cut prices at severe losses, in a move that […]

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The Bitcoin bubble, Venezuela, and political risk

The Bitcoin bubble, Venezuela, and political risk

Regardless of mainstream reservations, rampant speculation, and a near-certain chance of bust, Bitcoin is here to stay. Cryptocurrencies will transform the way we identify, manage and mitigate political risks across borders – and Venezuela offers a perfect case study. Understanding the hype Regular descent into what is only retrospectively described as insanity has been a […]

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Latest on Venezuela woes

Latest on Venezuela woes

When I last wrote about Venezuela in May, protests raged across the country. They derived from the ruling regime-controlled Supreme Court attempting to wrest power away from the National Assembly, Venezuela’s federal legislature and last vestige of opposition voices in the government. The move was met with harsh criticism at home and abroad, and President […]

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Venezuela is on the Road to a One Party State

Venezuela is on the Road to a One Party State

On the road of corruption, there must often be a legal shield in order to protect past crimes committed by a government with its hands in the public purse.

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Judicial Activism and the Fight Against Institutionalized Corruption

Judicial Activism and the Fight Against Institutionalized Corruption

The divide between Dilma Rousseff’s supporters and her opponents lead to some of the largest political demonstrations in the Brazil’s history.

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Venezuela: Tensions High as Showdown Looms

Venezuela: Tensions High as Showdown Looms

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro continues to crack down on opposition and protests to his increasingly authoritarian government.

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Venezuela Thrown into Turmoil Anew: Last Straw for Regime?

Venezuela Thrown into Turmoil Anew: Last Straw for Regime?

Venezuela witnessed an upheaval in the national legislature and the ban of the leading opposition figure from running for office, resulting in massive protests and violent clashes with police.

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Moving Towards a Peaceful Colombia

Moving Towards a Peaceful Colombia

Is this the end of a seemingly endless struggle in which hundreds of thousands perished? Is Colombia moving into a new era of acceptance and reconciliation?

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Venezuela’s Challenges Drag On

Venezuela’s Challenges Drag On

A currency shakeup, corruption probes on the oil industry, and a growing crackdown against political opponents. Venezuela’s situation demands our attention.

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Venezuela’s Struggles Continue as Government and Opposition Clash

Venezuela’s Struggles Continue as Government and Opposition Clash

The country’s supreme court blocked a recall referendum that could have removed Maduro from power. The country’s struggles continue, but there is some hope.

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