On June 23, 2021, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a private meeting with members of the delegation of the Unitary Democratic Platform of Venezuela during their visit to Washington, DC. The private roundtable conversation included Leopoldo Lopez, national coordinator of Voluntad Popular and former Mayor of Chacao; and Gerardo Blyde, president of the Unitary Democratic Platform. Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, gave opening remarks and moderated the discussion. Speakers participated from the Dialogue’s office and representatives from the Washington Office on Latin America, Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Atlantic Council, and National Democratic Institute joined live via Zoom.

The conversation examined the political and economic crisis confronting Venezuela, as well as the upcoming regional elections, the possibility of negotiations between the Maduro regime and the opposition, and the role of the international community in addressing the crisis. The exchange also touched on the need for national unity and participation of multiple actors in constructing comprehensive solutions to the Venezuelan crisis towards a National Salvation Agreement.