Visiting Fellow David Smilde has co-authored an opinion piece in The Washington Post titled, “Despite Contradictions: State Department’s Venezuela Plan is a Step in the Right Direction.” The article details the framework that the US has outlined for Venezuela to conduct a peaceful transition of power from Maduro to Guidó and the controversy behind it.
Despite criticisms of the framework, “It makes it clear, as never before, that the United States would accept a transitional authority that includes chavista elements; and that Washington will not veto a Maduro candidacy in new national elections. These indications send powerful signals to hard-line opposition factions who want Chavismo eliminated by external fiat. The framework also offers negotiations to provide relief from U.S. economic sanctions, a concession that Guaidó’s negotiating team could not credibly extend in last year’s discussions.”