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Venezuela has suffered a well-known litany of woes in recent years. The South American country continues to experience high unemployment; runaway inflation; shortages of basic goods, including medicine; one of the world’s worst murder rates; and President Nicolas Maduro, who has stifled free press and political dissent.

But with the striking results of recent parliamentary elections, hope may finally be on the way. On December 6, the political opposition secured a super-majority and the ability to effectively challenge President Maduro’s rule. The electoral landslide means that reformers will be able to press for meaningful changes to the country’s economy and human rights situation. They may even be able to force the removal of President Maduro.

What impact will these momentous election results have on Venezuela’s economy, civil society, and state-sanctioned support for international terrorism? On Thursday, December 17, �����’s Center for Latin American Studies hosted a panel discussion to analyze the Venezuelan opposition party’s newly elected supermajority and the country's prospects for change. Regional experts Gustavo Coronel, Evan Ellis, and Douglas Farah joined Hudson Senior Fellow Christopher Sands for this important discussion.

__����� is grateful to the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation for its generous support for this series of conferences.__