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 26 Mar 2020 If you’re going to cause the collapse of [the Venezuelan] government in the middle of a pandemic, then you will be responsible for instilling chaos. HuffPost Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 8 Aug 2019 As long as each side [in Venezuela] pursues a winner-take-all approach, they are less willing to make concessions and a deal will remain elusive. Associated Press Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 21 Mar 2019 Maduro is essentially calling Trump’s bluff. Maduro has essentially concluded that the military option is a very remote possibility. The New York Times Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 8 Mar 2019 Given the current state of relations between the US and Venezuela, having military intelligence arrest a US citizen... seems like unnecessary provocation. The Guardian Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 7 Feb 2019 The Maduro team doesn’t want to talk to [the opposition] and doesn’t trust them. They think they will all end up in jail or strung up from lampposts. Wall Street Journal Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes 27 Nov 2018 [Miners in Venezuela] are severely at risk of being shot dead: Mining communities have phenomenally high homicide rates, even by the extraordinary high levels that we see in the rest of Venezuela. NPR Phil Gunson Senior Analyst, Andes Latest Updates Q&A / Latin America & Caribbean 19 September 2019 Maduro Finds a “New Opposition” to Negotiate With Talks to resolve Venezuela’s impasse collapsed on 15 September only for the government to announce a deal – with a different set of opponents. In this Q&A, Crisis Group Senior Andes Analyst Phil Gunson explains what these developments mean for the country’s political and socio-economic crisis. Also available in Español Commentary / Latin America & Caribbean 15 March 2019 The Darkest Hours: Power Outages Raise the Temperature in Venezuela The crippling blackouts across Venezuela are a grim portent of things to come as U.S. oil sanctions kick in and the country’s crisis deepens. All concerned to end Venezuelans’ suffering should vigorously pursue a negotiated transition leading to a power-sharing deal. Also available in Español Q&A / Latin America & Caribbean 22 February 2019 High Noon over Humanitarian Aid at Venezuela’s Border Venezuela’s constitutional crisis continues to unfold, with the opposition amassing food and medicine on the borders with the stated intent of turning the military against President Nicolás Maduro, who is refusing the aid. In this Q&A, our Senior Analyst for Venezuela Phil Gunson explains the standoff. Also available in Español Q&A / Latin America & Caribbean 24 January 2019 In Venezuela, a High-stakes Gambit The Venezuelan National Assembly’s chairman, Juan Guaidó, has declared himself interim president, with the support of several foreign governments. Unless the Venezuelan military backs his move, it is unlikely to topple incumbent President Nicolás Maduro and could unleash greater repression and even outside military intervention. Also available in Español 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 Load more