Venezuela, Cuba, and Shifting Realities in Latin America
Recent developments in Venezuela and Latin America have captured global attention — from academic analysis of long-standing regional ties to students writing about historic political change.
Event: Venezuela and Latin America After January 3rd
📅 When:Wednesday, January 28, 10 AM
📍 Where:McKenna 103, CU Boulder
Join a timely panel discussion featuring CU Boulder faculty from History, Geography, and Spanish & Portuguese who will unpack the political, historical, and geographic dimensions of ongoing developments in Venezuela and across Latin America. They'll explore:
- The broader implications of January 3rd’s events
- The history and future of the region
- Any questions students may have
Featured Academic Insight: Venezuela–Cuba Connections
CU Boulder faculty expert Dr. Jen Triplett (Sociology) sheds light on the deep historical and political ties between Venezuela and Cuba. Her research explains how, over the past 25 years, the two countries built a relationship rooted in shared ideology, economic exchange, and political supportfrom the era of Hugo Chávez through Nicolás Maduro’s presidency. This alliance has had far-reaching impacts on regional politics and social dynamics, and recent U.S. actions have raised questions about how Havana may respond as Venezuela’s future unfolds.
Student Perspective:
IAFS student wrote a compelling piece, “A Historic Day for Venezuelans: The Dictator Has Fallen”, on Her Campus. In it, she describes January 3, 2026 as a monumental moment, marked by a major military operation resulting in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Gabriela’s article contextualizes the human, political, and social stakes of this event, and offers insight into how Venezuelans and the diaspora are responding to dramatic change.