The Open Society Foundations and the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a breakfast discussion on democracy and politics in Venezuela. Father José Virtuoso, executive director of the Venezuelan research center Centro Gumilla and dean of the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, discussed the findings of a recent study on changing perceptions of democracy in Venezuela and Latin America.
In light of the September 26 Venezuelan legislative elections, Virtuoso analyzed the political implications of the election results on the country’s governance. Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States Bernardo Alvarez provided commentary on the presentation, followed by a wide-ranging exchange among participants.
Speakers
- Father José Virtuoso, executive director of the Venezuelan research center Centro Gumilla and recently appointed dean of the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello
- Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuelan ambassador to the United States
- Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue and director of its Andean program (moderator)
- Sandra Dunsmore, regional director for Latin America at the Open Society Institute (welcoming remarks)