Pardee School Student Publishes Op-Ed on U.S.-Venezuela Policy
On January 3, 2021, Maria Santarelli (Pardee MAIA ’21) published an op-ed in the Yale Journal of International Affairs on the United States’ policy towards Venezuela, Venezuelans in the U.S., and those seeking refuge and protection from an authoritarian regime.
In the article, titled “U.S. Policy for Venezuelans: The Case for Temporary Protected Status,” Santarelli discussed the U.S. humanitarian relief provided to Venezuela and how it stops short of providing support to Venezuelans within its borders. She advocated for granting of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelan nationals as it would reinforce U.S. security interests in the region, could weaken the regime of Nicolás Maduro, and help put the region on a path to post-pandemic recovery.
Santarelli concluded by pointing out both U.S. presidential candidates confirmed that the Venezuelan crisis was a priority and emphasized that the incoming Biden-Harris administration must demonstrate a commitment to the Venezuelan cause.
An excerpt:
The U.S. government pledges support to the systematically oppressed Venezuelan people and disburses large sums to humanitarian assistance programs. Since 2017, the United States has provided $610.6 million in humanitarian assistance to support countries sheltering Venezuelans, including $76 million for humanitarian relief in Venezuela and $13.7 million for COVID-19. The United States is the largest donor to the Venezuelan crisis, but it must make more concentrated efforts to mitigate the suffering of Venezuelans within its own borders.[4] One option is granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelan nationals, a legal attempt that Congress failed to pass in 2019.
The full op-ed can be read on the Yale Journal of International Affairs’ website.