03 July 2026
Venezuela After the Earthquakes
On June 24, 2026, two earthquakes struck Venezuela with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. As of 2 July, the official death toll has climbed past 2,295, and more than 38,600 people remain unaccounted for. Having lived through the disaster in Caracas and seeing people desperately crying for help, only reinforces our own empirical understanding of a state in decline. Democracy depends on social trust and a functioning state with administrative capacities. Within hours, what the earthquakes revealed was the extent to which those foundations have eroded in Venezuela. Continue reading >>
0 
03 July 2026
Nach den Beben in Venezuela
Am 24. Juni 2026 erschütterten zwei schwere Erdbeben der Stärken 7,2 und 7,5 Venezuela. Bis zum 2. Juli stieg die offizielle Zahl der Todesopfer auf über 2.295. Mehr als 38.600 Menschen gelten weiterhin als vermisst. Wer die Katastrophe in Caracas selbst miterlebt hat und die Menschen verzweifelt um Hilfe schreien sah, für den wird der schleichende Verfall des Staates zur bitteren Gewissheit. Eine Demokratie lebt von gesellschaftlichem Vertrauen und einem funktionierenden Staat. Innerhalb weniger Stunden offenbarten die Erdbeben, wie stark dieses Fundament in Venezuela bereits erodiert ist. Continue reading >>
0
01 August 2024
Unprecedented Fraud and New Momentum
Venezuela is entering a new, dangerous phase of its conflict. Though not fully verified, the opposition appears to have won the July 28 election by a landslide. Nicolás Maduro's government has likely committed unprecedented fraud, tampering with votes and withholding tallies. Massive protests have erupted nationwide, with the government rapidly increasing repression and surveillance. This challenges prospects for a democratic transition, requiring a skilled national and international response. Continue reading >>25 January 2019