Events Detail

After nearly 14 years in power, Hugo Chávez has been re-elected President once again. What does this outcome mean for the future of Venezuela? Will there be long-reaching global ramifications as a result of the election?

Hudson's Center for Latin American Studies held a timely and important analysis of the recent Venezuelan election, and what it means for U.S. policymakers.

The discussion featured a distinguished panel of experts on Venezuela including:

Keynote Speaker: Patrick Duddy is the last U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela, having served from 2007 until 2010. In September of 2008, he was declared persona non grata by President Hugo Chávez and expelled from the country. That designation was rescinded in June 2009, and Ambassador Duddy returned to Venezuela to continue his post and duties. He is currently a Visiting Senior Lecturer at Duke University.

Anibal Romero is Professor of Political Theory at Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela, and has published several books and articles on Venezuelan politics and President Chávez.

Jon Perdue is the Director of Latin America Programs at the Fund for American Studies in Washington. His articles on Latin America and U.S. security issues have been widely published in Latin America and the United States, and his latest book is The War of All the People: The Nexus of Latin American Radicalism and Middle Eastern Terrorism (Potomac, 2012).

Antonio José de la Cruz is an energy specialist who has worked for many years with Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA). He is currently working as a consultant.

John Walters, Hudson Institute Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, moderated.

John Walters, Amb. Patrick Duddy, Anibal Romero, Jon Perdue, and Antonio José de la Cruz

Hudson Institute is grateful to the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation for their generous support of this event.