Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes Caracas, Venezuela Please submit all media inquiries to pgunson@crisisgroup.org or call +57 1 2565769 ext 101 Crisis Group Role As Andes Project Senior Analyst, Phil researches and produces Crisis Group policy materials and conducts advocacy on political issues in the Andes region, focusing primarily on the Venezuelan political situation. He has spent almost 40 years reporting on Latin America for a wide variety of news media, including the BBC World Service, The Guardian, Newsweek, The Miami Herald and The Economist. In the 1980s he covered the wars in Central America, and in the late 1990s he was Latin America correspondent for The Guardian, based in Mexico City. He has coauthored two books on the region, including a two-volume political dictionary of Latin America and the Caribbean. Areas of Expertise Venezuela Conflict resolution Latin America politics Professional Background Consultant, International Crisis Group (2012-2015) Correspondent, The Economist (2000-2015) MA in English literature Cambridge University University Degree Languages English (native) Spanish (fluent) In The News 16 Apr 2018 People [in Venezuela] are moving to the countryside because you can more or less survive if you have a small plot of land and access to your own produce. Miami Herald Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 11 Jan 2018 Venezuela is in a very, very deep economic hole. Hyperinflation is around 2,000%. Foreign reserves are well below $10 billion, and the productive economy is virtually in pieces. The World Weekly Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 9 Jan 2018 The [Venezuelan] military needs [President] Maduro because they would rather not rule themselves. He makes life good for them. If you are a general and play by the rules you can make a lot of money. The Guardian Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 8 Dec 2017 The least you can ask of [Venezuelan] opposition is that it shows up and puts up a fight. There [aren't] many instances in history where governments have been brought down by electoral boycotts. The Guardian Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 22 Nov 2017 [Venezuela's chief prosecutor Tarek William] Saab is [fighting against corruption] at the behest of his political master, who one assumes to be [President] Nicolas Maduro. Bloomberg Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 16 Aug 2017 There is malaria now even in urban areas [of Venezuela]. The government's anti-malaria programme has effectively been dismantled. Al Jazeera Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes Latest Updates Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean 17 May 2018 President Maduro’s Likely Re-election in Breadline Venezuela As tens of thousands of Venezuelans stream into neighbouring countries, President Nicolás Maduro appears set to win elections on 20 May. In this Q&A, Crisis Group’s Senior Analyst for the Andes Phil Gunson looks ahead to the vote and its aftermath and explains why the crisis is likely to deepen. Also available in Español Op-Ed / Asia 11 April 2018 Why China Should Help Solve Venezuela’s Deepening Crisis Originally published in Asia Times Also available in 简体中文 Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean 3 August 2017 Venezuela's Last Flickers of Democracy Venezuela’s political crisis took another fateful turn on Sunday 30 July with the rigged election of an all-powerful assembly mandated to rewrite the constitution. In this Q&A, Senior Analyst for the Andes Phil Gunson says Sunday’s vote represents the end of what little democratic space still existed and takes the country on the path to dictatorship. Also available in Español Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean 11 May 2017 Venezuela: A Blueprint for Strife Two developments are propelling Venezuela faster along a route that has already led to dozens of deaths in the last few weeks: the first is an undemocratic proposal for a new constitution; the second is increasingly isolated Venezuela’s withdrawal from the Organisation of American States. Also available in Español Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean 10 April 2017 Venezuela: In a Hole, and Still Digging Venezuela’s neighbours are at last contemplating tougher measures to counter its dangerous and undemocratic behaviour. The government, helped by outsiders, should now negotiate with the opposition on a transitional regime to lead the country out of its grave social, economic and political crisis. Also available in Español Load more