It’s Hard to Be a Leftist Leader in Colombia It’s Hard to Be a Leftist Leader in Colombia
Since taking office in August 2022, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has pursued an ambitious agenda—with mixed results.
Aug 15, 2024 / Gabriel Hetland
What the UN Report Gets Right—and Wrong—About the Crisis in Venezuela What the UN Report Gets Right—and Wrong—About the Crisis in Venezuela
The document paints a devastating portrait of the country’s economic situation—but overlooks the US role in the suffering.
Jul 24, 2019 / Gabriel Hetland
Venezuela’s Deadly Blackout Highlights the Need for a Negotiated Resolution of the Crisis Venezuela’s Deadly Blackout Highlights the Need for a Negotiated Resolution of the Crisis
Maduro is corrupt and increasingly repressive, but US sanctions and violence by the US-supported opposition have contributed to Venezuelans’ suffering.
Mar 13, 2019 / Gabriel Hetland
Venezuela May Be on the Brink of Civil War Venezuela May Be on the Brink of Civil War
The international left should do everything in its power to prevent it; we must support a negotiated solution.
Aug 9, 2017 / Gabriel Hetland
Why Is Venezuela in Crisis? Why Is Venezuela in Crisis?
Much of it is due to government blundering. But opposition protests, often violent, and destabilization from Washington have wreaked havoc as well.
Aug 17, 2016 / Gabriel Hetland
How Severe Is Venezuela’s Crisis? How Severe Is Venezuela’s Crisis?
It’s deep but not cataclysmic, and mainstream US media have consistently exaggerated the extent of it.
Jun 22, 2016 / Gabriel Hetland
The End of Chavismo? Why Venezuela’s Ruling Party Lost Big, and What Comes Next The End of Chavismo? Why Venezuela’s Ruling Party Lost Big, and What Comes Next
Even Chavistas are fed up with the economic crisis and want change. But unlike the right, grassroots leaders are calling for more popular control and collective decision-making.
Dec 10, 2015 / Gabriel Hetland
What Next for Venezuela, After Chávez? What Next for Venezuela, After Chávez?
He may have been a dominant, charismatic leader, but Chavismo is an internally diverse, deeply rooted movement that will not disappear anytime soon.
Mar 8, 2013 / Gabriel Hetland
A New Way to Occupy City Hall: Participatory Budgeting A New Way to Occupy City Hall: Participatory Budgeting
Through participatory budgeting, can Occupy bring the movement for direct democracy into the heart of government power?
Mar 15, 2012 / Gabriel Hetland and Abigail N. Martin
Grassroots Democracy in Venezuela Grassroots Democracy in Venezuela
One town’s participatory budget has attracted activists and officials from around the world.
Jan 11, 2012 / Feature / Gabriel Hetland