On September 30th, the Georgetown Club of Spain Barcelona Chapter welcomed Ambassador Todd Robinson to the Círculo Ecuestre for a Leadership Series dinner on Venezuela’s uncertain future.

Drawing on his experience as the top U.S. diplomat in Caracas, a posting that ended abruptly in 2018 when Nicolás Maduro declared him persona non grata and expelled him from the country, Ambassador Robinson offered a frank assessment of Venezuela’s political, economic and social challenges, and what the U.S. capture of Maduro might mean for the country’s future.

Venezuelans based in Barcelona brought personal perspectives to the discussion, speaking candidly about entrenched corruption, hyperinflation and unemployment, recurring power cuts, the departure of a generation of professionals, and a population worn down by years of hardship and uncertainty.

The conversation also explored where the political opposition now stands, the motivations behind the Trump Administration’s military raid, and the potential roles of China and Russia, Venezuela’s longstanding partners.

We were also grateful to have The Honorable Mark Dybul, MD, a fellow Barcelona Hoya, join us for the evening.

Our thanks to Ambassador Robinson for his candor, to the Círculo Ecuestre for its hospitality, and to everyone who contributed to such a lively and thought-provoking evening.

Hoya Saxa!