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As economic sanctions strain the Venezuelan oil economy, the Maduro regime has increasingly turned to the country’s mineral resources for an alternative source of income. Over 100,000 km² have been opened for exploration in the Orinoco Mining Arc, prompting a gold rush for despairing Venezuelans trying to earn a living. The Venezuelan Amazon and its people are now exposed to gang violence, human rights abuses, and environmental damages in a microcosm of the national crisis. Meanwhile, Maduro and his cronies, as well as non-state armed groups are profiting from illegal mining and from smuggling gold to buyers abroad.

What could be done to stem this illicit source of income? How is the regime directly benefiting? What are lessons from past experiences abroad on how to deal with conflict minerals and unsustainable mining practices?  

Join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center on Tuesday, December 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. (EST), for a discussion on how to address illegal mining in Venezuela and its transnational security, human rights, and ecological implications. The event will feature a discussion with Lisseth Boon, Venezuelan journalist, who has played a critical role in exposing the illegal mining activities taking place in the country.

Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and the discussion will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. (EST)

A conversation with

Lisseth Boon
Investigative Reporter
RunRun.es

Sasha Lezhnev
Deputy Director of Policy
The Enough Project

Frédéric Massé
Co-Director
Red de Monitoreo del Crimen Organizado en América Latina

Douglas Farah
President
IBI Consultants

Moderated by

Emiliana Molina
Washington Political Correspondent
NTN24

Welcome remarks by

Jason Marczak
Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Atlantic Council

This event is being held in collaboration with