Inside the Resistance: Fighting Tyranny with Local Governance in Venezuela

Description

For over two decades, Venezuela's regime has dismantled democracy through systematic human rights violations, the erosion of local government autonomy, and the persecution of dozens of mayors. Nicolás Maduro's crackdown targeted David Smolansky, former mayor of El Hatillo, for his efforts to strengthen local institutions, combat crime, and tackle corruption in one of the world's most violent and corrupt nations. This discussion will examine how local governments can resist authoritarianism and what Venezuela's experience reveals about the broader struggle for democracy with SNF Agora Visiting Fellow and Dissident in Residence David Smolansky and Alexandra Winkler, former deputy mayor of El Hatillo and current fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This discussion will be moderated by SNF Agora Assistant Director of Public Programs Mary Bruce. 

This is an in-person event only. Livestreaming will not be available.

David Smolansky served as the mayor of El Hatillo City in Caracas, Venezuela. His tenure as mayor gained national and international recognition for its transparency and notable reduction in kidnappings, despite operating in one of the world's most violent capitals. His commitment to addressing human rights violations and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela led him to play a pivotal role in nonviolent protests against Maduro's dictatorship. As a result of defending democratic values while serving in local government, he faced arbitrary arrest warrants, removal from his mayoral role, illegal disqualification for public service, and a ban from voting, and, ultimately, he was forced into exile.

After fleeing Venezuela, the secretary general of the Organization of American States appointed Smolansky as the special envoy to address the Venezuelan migration and refugee crisis, the largest in the world. He authored 15 reports and conducted over 20 official visits to 11 countries in the Americas, advocating for policies to protect and integrate Venezuelan migrants and refugees who have fled Maduro's regime.

Alexandra Winkler is a non-resident senior associate with the Americas program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former deputy mayor of El Hatillo, one of the five municipalities of the capital city of Caracas, Venezuela. Within that role, she was recognized for her social policy innovations and promotion of public-private partnerships to help alleviate the impact of the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere. Winkler has over 15 years of experience in areas such as public policy, strategic communications, crisis management, and organizational transformation. Before entering public service, she consulted for international companies and multilaterals throughout Central and South America, a career that she continues today from Washington, D.C. Her experience has offered her the opportunity to serve as keynote speaker on topics such as migration, global health, sustainable development, and public-private partnerships. She is also a part of the Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, which reunites a network of young people driving dialogue, action, and change.

Mary Bruce is the assistant director of public programs at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, a multi-disciplinary academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy by improving and expanding civic engagement and inclusive dialogue, and by supporting inquiry that leads to real-world change. As assistant director of the SNF Agora Institute, Bruce co-creates opportunities for meaningful dialogue and debate that inspire more active participation in democratic life. Throughout her career, she has worked to expand civic participation, including efforts of George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. A former adjunct professor at the University of Virginia's Batten School of Leadership, Bruce holds a bachelor's degree in poverty studies from UVA and a Master of Public Administration from Princeton University. She served in both the Peace Corps (Morocco) and AmeriCorps (Washington, D.C.). Bruce's work reflects her belief that democracy works better for everyone by combining thoughtful scholarship with practical action.