This was the first webinar in our timely series “Venezuela in Washington’s Crosshairs: Breaking the Information Blockade.” The speakers examined how U.S. policy targeted Venezuela and shaped public narratives about the country. The discussion focused on the illegality of Pres. Trump’s violent kidnapping of Pres. Nicolás Maduro and other U.S. policies like the debilitating sanctions, attacks on shipping, etc; and on regime change efforts, and the role of media silence and distortion.
Roger Harris said Venezuela was the number one priority of U.S. foreign policy. He argued that U.S. pressure aimed to destroy the Bolivarian Revolution as part of a wider push to enforce a Pax Americana. He called on peaceful people to intervene and stressed the importance of international solidarity.
Maria Paéz Victor, a Venezuelan-born sociologist, described recent events inside Venezuela and addressed claims made in international media. She rejected the portrayal of President Nicolás Maduro as a dictator and explained how cyber-attacks and external pressure affected Venezuela’s political process. She emphasized the resilience of Venezuelan institutions and the constitutional order despite sustained attacks.
Leonardo Flores and Prof. Marjorie Cohn reinforced the need to challenge misinformation and defend international law. They highlighted the human cost of sanctions and called for breaking the information blockade through education and organized action.
