Q&A: What Does López’s Release Mean for Venezuela?
The Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor has published a Q&A on the...
Read MoreJul 20, 2017 | Articles
The Inter-American Dialogue’s daily Latin America Advisor has published a Q&A on the...
Read MoreJul 13, 2017 | Analysis
Venezuelan opposition figure Leopoldo López’s July 8 transfer to house arrest—following more than...
Read MoreJul 10, 2017 | Analysis
We can only speculate on what the government’s motives were in conceding house arrest to Leopoldo López. But I think there is one logic that is not being discussed enough. The move facilitates the government’s ability to remove...
Read More11 Sep 2015 Press Release Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Venezuelan opposition politician Leopoldo López was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison for allegedly inciting violence as part of anti-government protests last year....
Read MoreJun 26, 2015 | Analysis
[The original title to this piece got some friendly pushback from people who said “domestic benefits” sounded like I was talking about a positive new initiative like, say, a new school lunch program. Actually my intention is to...
Read MoreJun 11, 2015 | Analysis
The effects of jailed political prisoners Leopoldo López and Daniel Ceballos’ hunger strikes—now in their eighteenth and twentieth days respectively—continue to reverberate in opposition power centers. Their political party...
Read MoreIn today’s Latin America Advisor, David Smilde and other experts respond to questions about the ongoing protests in Venezuela. To read the article in its original context, please click here. Latin America Advisor: Deadly...
Read MoreFrom WBEZ Chicago’s WorldView: Protests continued on Monday in Caracas, with opposition members blocking off parts of Caracas and erecting barriers on major roads. Over the weekend hundreds of thousands of people also came out...
Read MoreFeb 21, 2014 | Analysis
I understand the rage. I understand how many expectations have been dashed by so many electoral campaigns. I understand the frustrations that have accumulated in a country that is divided into two parts that do not understand or...
Read MoreFeb 19, 2014 | Analysis
Leopoldo Lopez was, of course, arrested yesterday after a dramatic appearance at a massive opposition protest. The optics of the entire event were incredible, leading to photographs destined to become iconic. While the previous...
Read MoreDirector for Venezuela @GRamsey_LatAm
WOLA Senior Fellow and the Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations at Tulane University
@dsmilde