Joel D. Hirst says the strength of Venezuela's opposition is increasing through greater unity ahead of the battle to remove Chavez in 2012.

Joel D. Hirst discusses the results of a recent referendum in Ecuador and the rise of anti-institutionalism in the Bolivarian Alliance countries.

Joel D. Hirst argues that if elected as president, Ollanta Humala will likely have Peru follow the path of Venezuela.

Joel D. Hirst explains the Bolivarian Alternative to the Americas (ALBA).

Joel Hirst says that the United States cannot allow Hugo Chávez to use social movements, such as the Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas, to facilitate the interaction of terrorist organizations.

Joel D. Hirst says the Obama administration must move with urgency to secure the extradition of Walid Makled García "el Turco" from Colombia to the United States.

Joel D. Hirst discusses the hunger strike by nine Venezuelan students and their demand for action by the Organization of American States (OAS) on the state of democracy in Venezuela.

Joel D. Hirst says an opportunity exists for the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) to address Venezuela's faltering democracy.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is pushing through a series of laws that will effectively quell legal means to opposition, a move that Washington must challenge, says CFR's Joel Hirst.

Joel D. Hirst discusses how the Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas (ALBA) has taken shape in the six years since its creation.

Joel D. Hirst discusses Hugo Chavez's attacks against Globovision, the only independent television news station left in Venezuel.

Joel D. Hirst says the decision by Colombia to send drug kingpin Walid Makled to Venezuala and not the United States is a mistake, but one that can be corrected.

Joel D. Hirst discusses recent arrest of Venezuelan drug lord Walid Makled, and the implications of his extradition from Columbia to the United States.

Joel D. Hirst discusses the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) and its ambitious plan to control information across Latin America.

Jonathan Pearl argues that in the Russia-Venezuela nuclear deal, the United States must be wary of Venezuela's relationship with Iran.

Venezuela's stepped-up efforts to develop nuclear power and tighten its bonds with Iran require a firm but deft diplomatic response from the Obama administration, write CFR's Joel Hirst and Jonathan Pearl.

Joel Hirst discusses the implications of Venezuela's national assembly elections.

Yesterday's National Assembly elections in Venezuela curtailed President Chávez's powers and opened the door to greater cooperation with the United States, says CFR's Joel Hirst.

Venezuela's National Assembly elections this weekend are a referendum on President Hugo Chávez and a "proxy" for the 2012 presidential elections, says expert Michael McCarthy. They could also bolster opposition movements in countries like Bolivia and Ecuador.

Joel Hirst discusses Venezuela's upcoming National Assembly election.