The Battle for Democracy in Venezuela: A Conversation with Former Interim President Juan Guaidó

Wednesday, May 3 // 12–1:00 pm (ET)

Deteriorating conditions under Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian government continue to raise concerns about democracy and human rights in Venezuela and migration challenges throughout the region.

In a sign of the regime’s repression of the democratic opposition, former Interim President Juan Guaidó recently escaped the country, traveling through Colombia amid persistent threats of government persecution. In recent days, the international community has come together to engage in discussions about the importance of restoring democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. At the same time, however, Guaidó’s journey to the United States is drawing renewed attention to the challenges faced by the democratic opposition in Venezuela, where the state security and intelligence services brutally quash dissent.

Please join our conversation with former Interim President Guaidó to discuss the challenges confronting Venezuela’s democratic opposition and how international actors could help bring about a democratic future in Venezuela. The dialogue is part of the Wilson Center’s Hemisphere of Prosperity and Freedom series.

Still To Come This Week

The Future of Central Asia’s Development: Between Russia and China

Tuesday, May 2 // 10:00 am–2:00 pm (ET)

The Kennan Institute and the International Tax and Investment Center will host a conference to provide a platform for experts, academics, and policymakers to discuss the vital issues surrounding the impact of the war in Ukraine on Central Asia’s economic and geopolitical development.

Cold War Liberation: The Soviet Union and the Collapse of the Portuguese Empire in Africa, 1961-1975

Tuesday, May 2 // 4–5:30 pm (ET)

Cold War Liberation traces the story of Soviet support for African revolutionaries who led armed struggles in three Portuguese colonies—Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau. While conventional wisdom says that Moscow had lost interest in Africa by mid-1960s, Telepneva argues that the Soviets redirected their attention to forging close links with the military and security services of their African clients. Telepneva also details how Soviet middle-ranking bureaucrats often shaped policy in Africa, including during the early stages of the Angolan Civil War, 1974-1975.

China’s Biodiversity Action at Home and Overseas

Wednesday, May 3 // 9–10:15 am (ET)

In the run up to COP15, China accelerated its domestic biodiversity and conservation policies to protect its wetlands, mangroves, forests and the Yangtze River. The Xi Administration also has prioritized reducing the ecological footprint of Belt and Road Initiative investments. At this event, speakers will delve into China's efforts to protect biodiversity at home and in its overseas investments.

Book Talk | Ukraine is Not Dead Yet

Wednesday, May 3 // 10–11:00 am (ET)

In this book talk, Megan Buskey will discuss her book, Ukraine Is Not Dead Yet, and her process researching Ukraine’s difficult twentieth century through the prism of her family's past.

Possibilities - Canada and the Biden Administration's Historic Bipartisan Economic Investments

Wednesday, May 3 // 3:15–4:15 pm (ET)

On May 3, US Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen will speak at the Wilson Center to address the possibilities for Canadians and Americans to build back better together.

Walking with Gorillas: A Conversation with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka (Book Launch)

Friday, May 5 // 11:00 am–12:00 pm (ET)

In her new book, Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet, Dr. Kalema-Zikusoka recounts the experiences she’s had over the course of her career that led her to revolutionize conservation with a focus on the integrated health of humans and wildlife.