Tulane University

Dr. David Smilde, the Charles A. and Leo M. Favrot Professor of Human Relations and Senior Associate Fellow at the Center for Inter-American Policy and Research at Tulane University, recently spoke with The New York Times and The Washington Post on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s anti-corruption crackdown and probes into the nation’s oil industry. According to Smilde, Maduro’s recent appointment of military leader Maj. Gen. Manuel Quevedo as head of Petroleos de Venezuela, or Pdvsa, and of the oil ministry, may provide Maduro with a needed boost and silence internal criticism ahead of presidential elections.

Furthermore, Vox reports that President Nicolás Maduro announced that he will be introducing a digital currency called the petro in a desperate bid to dodge strict US sanctions. Smilde comments on the benefits and obstacles Maduro faces in introducing this cryptocurrency.

Access the original stories below:
Venezuela arrests top oil officials in corruption probe
Venezuela Appoints General to Tighten Grip on Oil Industry
Venezuela wants to solve its economic crisis with an imaginary new currency