Versión en español

Launched in 2005 by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez ostensibly as a means to foster regional development in Central America and the Caribbean, the Petrocaribe program injected an estimated $28 billion into 14 beneficiary countries. However, the disbursement of the funds and their use by local governments was opaque and often mismanaged, and served to buy the diplomatic loyalty that has shielded the Chávez/Maduro regime from greater international opprobrium.

#Petrofraude, a comprehensive new report led by investigative journalism platform CONNECTAS, documents the corruption and waste of public funds under the aegis of Petrocaribe, as well as the continuing diplomatic ramifications of the program. To discuss the report’s findings and their broader implications for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela, the Inter-American Dialogue is pleased to partner with CONNECTAS, the International Center for Journalists, the National Endowment for Democracy, and Transparency International for “Buying Votes and Lining Pockets: Venezuela’s Petro-Diplomacy.”

Here you can see the main findings of the investigation.

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Welcome:

• Michael Shifter, President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)

Opening Remarks:

• Carlos Eduardo Huertas, Director, CONNECTAS (@ConnectasOrg)

Speakers:

• Suhelis Tejero Puntes, Reporter, Diario Libre, Dominican Republic (@Suhelis)
• Miriam Kornblith, Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, National Endowment for Democracy
• David González, Investigative Journalist, CONNECTAS
• Zoe Reiter, Acting Representative to US and Senior Project Leader, Transparency International (@zoe_reiter)

Moderators:

• Michael Camilleri, Director, Peter D. Bell Rule of Law program, Inter-American Dialogue (@camillerimj)
• Luis Botello, Deputy Vice President for New Initiatives and Impact, International Center for Journalists (@lbotello)

A light breakfast will be served. Please note that this event will be held in English and Spanish, with interpretation provided.