Geoff Ramsey

Geoff Ramsey

Geoff Ramsey is WOLA’s Director for Venezuela, and coordinates the program’s research and advocacy in Washington. He is a leading expert on Venezuela’s political crisis, and has traveled regularly to the country since 2014. He is in close contact with key actors working for an end to the crisis in Venezuela, both inside and outside of the country. Mr. Ramsey advocates for policies that advance a peaceful, negotiated solution to Venezuela’s crisis, that address the urgent humanitarian needs of the Venezuelan people, and that support a humane response to the unique needs of Venezuelan migrants and refugees. In addition to authoring a number of reports and commentary pieces for WOLA and the Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights blog, his work has been cited or published in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and other major media outlets. Before joining WOLA, Mr. Ramsey carried out consulting work as a researcher for the Open Society Foundation’s Latin America Program. His work involved monitoring civil society advocacy for and implementation of 2013 drug policy reforms in Uruguay, where he lived for two years. Prior to that he lived in Colombia and Brazil, where he researched and reported on regional insecurity issues for InSight Crime. Mr. Ramsey earned an M.A. in International Affairs from the American University School of International Service, as well a B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Spanish from AU.

Did Maduro Sideline Diosdado Cabello?

Coverage of Nicolas Maduro’s authoritarian consolidation of power in Venezuela has mostly focused on his success in dividing and neutralizing the opposition, as well as maintaining control of the military and intelligence apparatus. But in recent days Maduro may have...

Q&A: Demystifying the Failed Silvercorp Operation

On May 3, 2020, a group of mercenaries attempted to enter Venezuela through the port city of La Guaira with stated intentions to capture de facto President Nicolás Maduro and transport him to the United States. The ambitious military raid failed immediately as Venezuelan security forces intercepted mercenaries at the border, leaving eight dead and at least 10 individuals

Can Venezuela Salvage an Electoral Agreement?

Recent days have seen several major blows to the hope of naming a new, credible National Electoral Council (CNE) in Venezuela that can oversee free and fair elections. But despite recent setbacks, there may be a slim window of opportunity to forge a last-ditch...