Stalemate in UN Security Council leaves Venezuelan crisis on the brink Ambassador Curtis (April 08, 2018) — As the pressure mounts on Nicolás Maduro’s regime many analysts no longer question whether his regime will collapse but when and exactly how it will happen. Russia’s role in Venezuela is still unclear, but I strongly believe that Russia does not want a military confrontation with the United States so far removed from Russia’s borders. Military engagement in Venezuela does...
CaribNation TV discussion provides differing views on Venezuela (23 Feb. 2019) — CaribNation TV’s host Paul Nehru Tennassee moderated a lively discussion of opposing views on the crisis in Venezuela. His two guests, while sharing different perspectives on the root causes of the political crisis in Venezuela and on who is to be blamed, both agreed that the only solution is for dialogue among the parties.
Trump officially recognizes Venezuela’s Guaido as Interim President of Venezuela Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (23 Jan. 2019) — U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement Wednesday officially recognizing the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, as the Interim President of Venezuela. President Trump announced his decision in a tweet in which he said: “The citizens of Venezuela have suffered for too long at the hands of the illegitimate Maduro regime. Today, I...
Venezuela Exposes the Weaknesses of Regional and International Organizations Ambassador Curtis A. Ward I firmly defend collective action by intergovernmental organizations acting responsibly to resolve intractable problems which have proven to be beyond the scope of domestic institutions within the affected state. I do not grade these organizations by their successes or failures, but on whether they have the political will and the moral authority to make a good faith effort to bring about a...
The Ward Post Bi-Monthly Brief Vol. 2. No. 4. (July – August 2017) The Ward Post Bi-Monthly Brief brings together in one convenient location a synopsis of, and links to the TWP blogs posted during the two previous months. U.S. Sanctions won’t stop Venezuela Bleeding: Will the UN Security Council Act Responsibly? (08/31/2017) by Ambassador Curtis A. Ward writes, “The targeted sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuelan individuals and entities will not be sufficient...
U.S. Sanctions won’t stop Venezuela Bleeding: Will the UN Security Council Act Responsibly? Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (31 Aug. 2017) — The targeted sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuelan individuals and entities will not be sufficient to change Nicolás Maduro’s behavior and return democracy and rule of law to Venezuela. Resort to military force is not an option. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that military action is on the table is bluster. I also believe the...
Who Cries for Venezuela? Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (02 Aug. 2017) — I have been pressed by my own inner thoughts and by several individuals to express my views on the situation in Venezuela, including on the responses of Caribbean governments to this crisis. I am compelled to respond. There is limited media attention given to Venezuela, and the dangers facing that country are being drowned out by the turmoil surrounding President Donald Trump’s administration. Yet we saw the U.S...
OAS Secretary General Offers Resignation Over Venezuela but Sets High Bar Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (24 June 2017) — In a dramatic “in your face” challenge to supporters of the Nicolás Madura government and the status quo in Venezuela, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro offered to resign, in response to calls for his resignation as a precondition for Venezuela’s return to the OAS. He said, however, that his resignation would be predicated upon significant changes in...
