Gabriel Hetland

Alejandro Velasco, a Latin American historian, Gabriel Hetland, a professor of Latin American Studies, and Yoletty Bracho, a political science expert, explore the U.S. assault on Venezuela and the implications of President Maduro's kidnapping. They discuss Trump's imperialist motives, the role of expatriate opposition in shaping narratives, and fears of authoritarian rule in Venezuela. The panel delves into the complexities of Venezuelan politics, migration, and the symbolism of oil, while considering potential backlash across Latin America.

In this enlightening discussion, Alejandro Velasco, a historian from NYU, Gabriel Hetland, a professor at SUNY Albany, and political scientist Yoletty Bracho dissect the intricate dynamics of Venezuelan politics. They analyze Trump's strategies against Venezuela, shedding light on the role of opposition figures like Maria Corina Machado in shaping U.S. narratives. The conversation explores oil's centrality to national identity, the fragmentation within the Venezuelan opposition, and the implications of sanctions on the country's economic collapse, all framed within a context of rising authoritarianism.