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