Francisco R. Rodríguez

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.

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.

Robin Wansley, a Minneapolis City Council member and activist, discusses local community responses to ICE violence, urging independent investigations and local control. Edwin Torres de Santiago from the Immigrant Defense Network shares firsthand experiences of ICE's impact on immigrant communities in Minnesota, highlighting racial profiling issues. Venezuelan economist Francisco Rodriguez provides insights into U.S. actions against Venezuela, detailing the political fallout and economic implications of the U.S. seizing oil revenues linked to Venezuelan interests.

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.

Mark Weisbrot, Co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, and Francisco Rodriguez, a senior research fellow and professor at the University of Denver, delve into the lethal consequences of U.S. economic sanctions. They reveal that sanctions can result in as many deaths as wars, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and the sick. Their discussion critiques the hypocrisy of the U.S. foreign policy, advocating for a re-examination of how sanctions are employed and the humanitarian crises they create. With insights from their impactful research, the conversation underscores the urgent need for change.