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Posted by David Smilde | Sep 9, 2014 | Analysis
President Nicolas Maduro’s shake-up announced a week ago was, of course, anti-climatic. There were no major announcements of measures that might address the dramatic distortions in the Venezuelan economy. What changes were...
Read MorePosted by David Smilde | Jun 26, 2014 | Analysis
On Wednesday the Maduro government responded forcefully to the continuing fallout begun by the letter of former Planning Minister Jorge Giordani. Several former ministers have expressed criticism as have other sectors from the...
Read MoreThe removal of Planning Minister Jorge Giordani announced by president Maduro this week has turned into an open political row within Chavismo. Giordani has been one of the key architects of the government’s economic policy over...
Read MorePosted by David Smilde | Nov 14, 2013 | Analysis
Yesterday I talked to several journalists about the events of the past week: the fight against “speculation” in electronics retail, leading to forced liquidation of inventories and in some cases, looting. Here is a quick review...
Read MorePosted by David Smilde | Nov 8, 2013 | Analysis
During my last stay in Venezuela the handful of analysts I talked to with ties to the government all concurred on one point. Nicolas Maduro’s talk of an economic war is not a show used to distract followers. He actually believes...
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