Mark Feierstein
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Articles by Mark Feierstein
Venezuelans Welcome U.S. Intervention, But Hope for a Rapid Democratic Transition Post-Maduro
Venezuela has remained in political limbo for nearly two months since the January 3 capture of Nicolás Maduro. The dictator is gone, but the de facto regime has not relinquished power. Hundreds of political prisoners have been released, though hundreds more still languish in jail. The country’s most prominent opposition leader—María Corina Machado—remains in exile. Amid the uncertainty, Venezuelans are hopeful.
Venezuelans Want Change, But Will the Chavistas Deliver?
Most Venezuelans rejoiced when U.S. forces forcibly removed President Nicolas Maduro from power, only to feel disappointment when the political transition they had long anticipated was delayed, at least temporarily, as the presidency passed to the dictator’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez. They remain broadly hopeful that deeper changes are imminent but are pragmatic about the country’s realities, and openness across political divides bodes well for an eventual democratic transition.
Don’t dismiss the possibility of a peaceful transition in Venezuela Original
Critics of the Trump administration’s increasingly militarized posture toward Venezuela are right to highlight the perils of any operation aimed at regime change. Yet focusing solely on calamitous scenarios risks overlooking the potential for a successful and relatively peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela. There are valid reasons for concern. The operation is directed by a national security team composed largely of ill-equipped figures hired for their loyalty to Donald Trump.
Experts React: One Year Since Latin America’s Most Brazen Electoral Theft in History
On July 28, 2024, Venezuela’s dictator Nicolás Maduro suffered a humiliating electoral defeat to the country’s opposition. Unlike past elections, the opposition managed to secure voter tally sheets proving their victory—unequivocally. However, in one of the most brazen electoral thefts in history, the Maduro regime responded by fabricating electoral results inconsistent with the tally sheets, and determined to remain in power at all costs, launched a brutal crackdown on society.
How the Trump administration can support democracy in Venezuela Original
Support for the democratic opposition to Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro is among the few international policy matters that have unified Democrats and Republicans in recent years, and it is imperative to maintain that consensus as a new administration assumes power in Washington. The parties might disagree on the particulars of policy toward Venezuela, but there is no path to restoring democracy there that doesn’t keep the internal opposition in the lead.
A Public Perceptions Survey of China in Venezuela
About the Paper This discussion paper presents and analyzes original data gathered in June 2023 on Venezuelan perceptions of China and the United States. The results show that China’s standing in Venezuela has declined in absolute terms and relative to the United States, which is commensurate with trends elsewhere in Latin America.
In Brief: The Venezuelan Presidential Election
Last week, Venezuela held its presidential election, resulting in a controversial announcement by its National Electoral Council (CNE) that President Nicolás Maduro secured victory with 51 percent of the vote. However, the CNE did not provide precinct-level voting breakdowns as required by Venezuelan law, causing the opposition to immediately dismiss the announcement as fraudulent and claim victory.
Venezuela’s Election Outcome Isn’t a Done Deal Just Yet
With less than two months before Venezuela’s presidential election, President Nicolas Maduro faces a stark choice. Should he be beaten at the polls, as opinion surveys suggest he will be, Maduro could concede defeat and negotiate a transfer of power with safeguards against legal persecution. Or he could try to steal or invalidate the election. Most observers assume Maduro will opt for the latter, but doing so could put him at even greater personal risk.
El Resultado de las Elecciones en Venezuela Aún No Está Decidido
Read in English Con menos de dos meses para las elecciones presidenciales en Venezuela, el presidente Nicolás Maduro enfrenta una decisión crucial. Si es derrotado en las urnas, como sugieren las encuestas, Maduro podría aceptar la derrota y negociar un traspaso de poder con protecciones contra persecución legal. O podría intentar robarse o invalidar la elección. La mayoría de los observadores asumen que Maduro optará por lo último, pero hacerlo podría ponerlo en un riesgo personal aún mayor.
Venezuela’s Election Outcome Isn’t a Done Deal Just Yet
With less than two months before Venezuela’s presidential election, President Nicolas Maduro faces a stark choice. Should he be beaten at the polls, as opinion surveys suggest he will be, Maduro could concede defeat and negotiate a transfer of power with safeguards against legal persecution. Or he could try to steal or invalidate the election. Most observers assume Maduro will opt for the latter, but doing so could put him at even greater personal risk.
Venezuela's Grand Bargain
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Venezuelan government’s recent decision to ratify the disqualification of the leading opposition leader from running for president in this year’s election was disappointing but hardly a surprise. President Nicolás Maduro knows he would likely lose to María Corina Machado, a longtime strident critic of the regime, and fears she would hold him and his allies accountable for corruption and human rights abuses.
Biden can turn his controversial deal with Venezuela into long-overdue progress | Opinion Original
For a quarter century, the United States has tried unsuccessfully to stem Venezuela’s democratic backsliding and alignment with American adversaries. With last week’s prisoner exchange and earlier U.S.-orchestrated electoral roadmap signed by the Venezuelan government and opposition, the Biden administration has a chance to succeed where its predecessors fell short.
In Brief: The Venezuelan Referendum on Guyana
A lot happens every day. Alliances shift, leaders change, and conflicts erupt. With In Brief, we’ll help you make sense of it all. Each week, experts will dig deep on a single issue happening in the world to help you better understand it. *** Last week, voters in Venezuela backed a referendum to assume control of an oil-rich region in neighboring Guyana.
Cautious Hopes for a Breakthrough in Venezuela
Reading Time: 4 minutes Hopes that an election in Venezuela next year might resolve the country’s political divisions and revive a moribund economy have reemerged as the Biden administration and Nicolás Maduro’s regime are reportedly near an agreement to lift some U.S. sanctions in return for steps to hold a fair contest in 2024.
Will Maduro Listen to Lula and Petro on Venezuela Elections?
Developments in Venezuela over the past few weeks have provided reason for both deep pessimism and guarded hope that the country’s presidential election next year could help resolve its political crisis and advance a democratic transition. On the one hand, the regime-controlled legislature moved to replace the members of the National Electoral Commission, which for now still includes opposition representation and has exhibited measures of independence.
Brazil and Colombia Need to Step Up on Venezuela’s Crisis
Developments in Venezuela over the past few weeks have provided reason for both deep pessimism and guarded hope that the country’s presidential election next year could help resolve its political crisis and advance a democratic transition. On the one hand, the regime-controlled legislature moved to replace the members of the National Electoral Commission, which for now still includes opposition representation and has exhibited measures of independence.
A Bipartisan U.S. Approach on Venezuela Is Possible - and Necessary
A History of Consensus on Latin America Policy U.S. policy in the Americas has often been characterized by bipartisanship.
A Bipartisan U.S. Approach On Venezuela Is Possible-and Necessary
Reading Time: 5 minutes Despite divided government in Washington, there is ample room for bipartisan action on U.S. foreign policy. Countering China and buttressing Ukraine against Russia top the list, but the foremost opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together may be in Venezuela, where presidential elections next year offer the best chance in years for a democratic opening. U.S. policy in the Americas has often been characterized by bipartisanship.
Six Ways to Help Sustain Venezuela’s Negotiations
A Return to Negotiations After a hiatus of over 15 months, the government of Nicolas Maduro and members of the democratic opposition, represented through a “Unitary Platform,” returned to Mexico City on November 26 to sign a humanitarian agreement and announce that political negotiations would resume. Some are skeptical the talks will last, others that they will yield anything. Both views are reasonable given the long record of five rounds of unproductive, truncated talks going back to 2014.
Leverage US Sanctions to Secure Competitive Venezuela Elections
Efforts by the Biden administration to accelerate its quiet diplomacy with Venezuela have already produced some breakthroughs. But the greater challenge comes next, as Washington tries to leverage sanctions to incentivize Caracas to allow greater space for the opposition to compete in the 2024 presidential election.
How Businesses Can Help Venezuelan Refugees
The Venezuelan refugee crisis is not going to end any time soon, and efforts of governments and aid agencies to support refugees have not been sufficient to mitigate the suffering, a new poll of Venezuelans in Peru and Colombia finds. Thus, it is imperative for the business community to help fill existing gaps in services and provide long-term relief by providing refugees with legal and stable employment that capitalizes on their professional skills and training.
OPINION EXCHANGE | Trump is basically on target in his handling of the Venezuela situation
President Donald Trump has not made it easy for Democrats to forge bipartisan approaches with him on foreign policy. By undercutting essential alliances, embracing autocrats and discarding well-crafted international accords on Iran, trade and climate change, he has abandoned American ideals and undermined U.S. interests.
Commentary: Trump has been right on Venezuela so far, and Dems should listen
President Donald Trump has not made it easy for Democrats to forge bipartisan approaches with him on foreign policy. By undercutting essential alliances, embracing autocrats, and discarding well-crafted international accords on Iran, trade and climate change, he has abandoned American ideals and undermined U.S. interests.
Perspective | Guaidó is the right choice in Venezuela, even if Trump likes him
Joining the White House in backing the opposition leader should be a no-brainer. Thousands of opposition supporters gather to protest the Maduro government in the streets of Caracas, Venezuela. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) May 2 at 2:11 PM President Trump has not made it easy for Democrats to forge bipartisan approaches with him on foreign policy.
Guaidó is the right choice in Venezuela, even if President Trump likes him
Mark Feierstein, The Washington Post Published 1:33 pm CDT, Thursday, May 2, 2019 President Donald Trump has not made it easy for Democrats to forge bipartisan approaches with him on foreign policy. By undercutting essential alliances, embracing autocrats, and discarding well-crafted international accords on Iran, trade and climate change, he has abandoned American ideals and undermined U.S. interests.
Options to get Maduro out are limited and unpleasant
President Trump Donald John TrumpJesuit magazine calls for Kavanaugh nomination to be withdrawn Comey on Kavanaugh: 'Small lies matter' Corker announces support for Kavanaugh MORE's insistence at the U.N. General Assembly this week that "all options are on the table" to resolve the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela have raised alarms in U.S. policy circles and throughout Latin America about potential U.S. military action.
Why a Pragmatic AMLO May Be Here to Stay
Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s decisive victory in Mexico’s presidential election will surely intensify the debate over how he will govern: as the populist firebrand nostalgic for statist economic policies, or as the pragmatic former mayor who governed Mexico City with moderation. Yet López Obrador's more radical impulses will likely have to be tempered by a modernizing Mexico that has largely embraced and is dependent upon a free-market economy integrated with the United States.
Why a Pragmatic AMLO May Be Here to Stay
Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s decisive victory in Mexico’s presidential election will surely intensify the debate over how he will govern: as the populist firebrand nostalgic for statist economic policies, or as the pragmatic former mayor who governed Mexico City with moderation. Yet López Obrador's more radical impulses will likely have to be tempered by a modernizing Mexico that has largely embraced and is dependent upon a free-market economy integrated with the United States.
Why a Pragmatic AMLO May Be Here to Stay
Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s decisive victory in Mexico’s presidential election will surely intensify the debate over how he will govern: as the populist firebrand nostalgic for statist economic policies, or as the pragmatic former mayor who governed Mexico City with moderation. Yet López Obrador's more radical impulses will likely have to be tempered by a modernizing Mexico that has largely embraced and is dependent upon a free-market economy integrated with the United States.
Sadly, Foreign Pressure Won’t Be Enough to Dislodge Maduro
The United States and other countries are likely to apply additional economic and diplomatic pressure on the Venezuelan government following President Nicolas Maduro’s victory Sunday in elections that most of the opposition had boycotted and that international community had denounced as a farce. The measures are unlikely to hasten a democratic transition, however, unless the Maduro regime faces greater pressure from its own populace. International pressure thus far has not been insubstantial.
Sadly, Foreign Pressure Won’t Be Enough to Dislodge Maduro
The United States and other countries are likely to apply additional economic and diplomatic pressure on the Venezuelan government following President Nicolas Maduro’s victory Sunday in elections that most of the opposition had boycotted and that international community had denounced as a farce. The measures are unlikely to hasten a democratic transition, however, unless the Maduro regime faces greater pressure from its own populace. International pressure thus far has not been insubstantial.
America should strengthen, not abandon, relationship with Cuba
The drawdown in personnel from the American embassy in Havana and the Cuban embassy in Washington in the wake of mysterious attacks on U.S. officials is a setback to the efforts begun by President Obama to reverse a five-decade policy of isolation that failed to advance U.S. interests.
The impact of Trump's Cuba policy revisions will likely be small
As U.S. officials prepare to implement President Trump’s Cuba policy, the rancor over the revised course is masking an emerging bipartisan consensus over American policy toward the island. Despite declaring he was “cancelling” President Obama’s deal with Cuba, Trump’s approach maintains the vast majority of steps the Obama Administration took. Critics of Obama had protested his efforts to increase American commercial and cultural interaction with Cuba.
Savvy diplomacy needs to follow sanctions on Venezuela vice president
The Treasury Department’s sanctions on the Venezuelan vice president for playing a major role in international drug trafficking was an overdue step to ratchet up pressure on the Venezuelan regime and signal that top officials will suffer consequences if they continue to engage in massive corruption, abuse human rights and dismantle democracy. In and of itself, the sanctions will not bring about a democratic transition.
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