Mediation in Venezuela: Assessing Options for Advancing a Political Solution

Venezuela is in the midst of an unprecedented economic, humanitarian, and political crisis. Efforts toward a political resolution, including the dialogue in Santo Domingo, have stalled due to an impasse between the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, and opposition groups.

The Capstone team assessed ways to motivate constructive processes and identify potential policy options that can aid in the development of a sustainable political resolution. The team focused their research on mediation, the humanitarian crisis with respect to international aid and migration, international human rights protection, transitional justice, and sanctions. Additionally, the team conducted interviews with experts in the above-mentioned areas to strengthen and contextualize the research and insights.

The team prepared a report analyzing different mechanisms that could help facilitate a political resolution and proposed specific recommendations, all of which were briefed directly to the client in Washington, D.C. This report firmly stressed that the road to political resolution in Venezuela must be paved with greater consideration for the needs and desires of the Venezuelan people. The recommendations seek to empower Venezuelan citizens in areas where their rights have been violated, as well as address the economic, humanitarian, and political imbalances that have brought the country to this pivotal moment in history.