Francisco R. Rodríguez

Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, discusses the ongoing protests in Iran, exploring factors that make this uprising unique and the regime's vulnerabilities. Francisco Rodríguez, an economist from Venezuela, analyzes the country's political landscape, emphasizing the challenges of a post-Maduro future and the delicate balance between foreign investment and democratic demands. David Herzberg provides insight into the origins of the fentanyl crisis, linking it to complex supply chains and highlighting the need for demand-side solutions.

Jeffrey Langbaum, a Senior REITs and Commercial Real Estate Analyst, discusses Trump's proposal to ban institutional investors from buying single-family homes, highlighting its potential impacts on market growth. Joe Deaux, an economic reporter, examines U.S. asset seizures in Venezuela and the complexities of oil revenue management. Francisco Rodriguez shares insights on stabilizing Venezuela economically, prioritizing oil exports to avoid crises. Geetha Ranganathan analyzes Warner Bros.' rejection of a takeover bid, focusing on financial risks and future consolidation strategies.

Francisco Rodríguez, a Venezuelan economist and former chief economist for the Congressional Budget Office, discusses the fragile state of Venezuela's opposition. He examines María Corina Machado's strategy to leverage support from Trump, highlighting the risks of external intervention. Rodríguez critiques the reliance on Trump, suggesting it jeopardizes Machado's future. He warns of the consequences of politicized oil revenues on governance and explores potential outcomes, from democratic transitions to authoritarian control under U.S. influence.

Francisco Rodriguez, Ökonom und Lead-Autor einer wegweisenden Lancet-Studie, beleuchtet die verheerenden humanitären Folgen von Sanktionen. Seine Forschung zeigt, dass Sanktionen ähnlich viele Leben kosten können wie Kriege. Er diskutiert die unterschiedlichen Arten von Sanktionen und ihre gezielten Auswirkungen, auch auf Kinder, die am meisten leiden. Außerdem wird die kritische Rolle der USA bei der zunehmenden Verbreitung von Sanktionen thematisiert. Ein eindringlicher Blick auf die versteckten Kosten von politischen Maßnahmen.

Patricia Garrap and Francisco Rodriguez provide insights into Venezuela's turbulent daily life post-Maduro. Residents share harrowing experiences with queues, high food prices, and safety concerns. They discuss the faltering oil industry and the state's need for heavy investment due to sanctions and corruption. Meanwhile, the podcast shifts focus to the meteoric rise of K-Beauty, revealing South Korea's booming cosmetics market and its ability to rapidly adapt to global trends.