Name: Carlos Romero
Job: Political analyst
Way forward: International pressure - from other Latin American countries
The only way to move Venezuela forward is "through international pressure," says Carlos Romero, who has advised the opposition coalition on foreign affairs. "The ball is in the government's court and they so far have shown no interest in considering the oppositions' demands," which include the release of political prisoners, the creation of an independent truth commission, and an end to alleged government interference in institutions such as the Supreme Court and National Electoral Council, he says.
Without outside pressure, the government has little incentive to change its behavior, Mr. Romero says.
While proposed bills on US sanctions languish in Washington's legislative pipeline, Romero's skeptical the North American country will take direct action against Venezuela. The US wants to avoid the "Cubanization" of Venezuela, he says, and the real onus to act is on neighboring Latin American countries such as Brazil or Uruguay.
"The countries of Latin America have never stopped recognizing Maduro as president," Romero says. "He's on the defensive and that's giving way to further radicalization."
