Venezuela: 589 dead in devastating, back-to-back earthquakes
06/26/2026 June 26, 2026 Oxford University professor: Venezuela quake 'geopolitical stress test' for interim government Annette Idler, an associate professor at Oxford University's Blavatnik School
06/26/2026 June 26, 2026 Oxford University professor: Venezuela quake 'geopolitical stress test' for interim government Annette Idler, an associate professor at Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government, gave her analysis of what the catastrophe means for Venezuela and the interim government under Delcy Rodriguez. "The earthquake is not only a humanitarian catastrophe; it is also a geopolitical stress test that will shape Venezuela's political future and its relationship with the United States," Idler said. "US support has been quickly announced but what is at stake is whether Venezuela is perceived as being dependent on decisions taken in Washington or whether Washington can support a locally-owned process of both short-term recovery and long-term reconstruction." "The question is whether Venezuela’s interim government will gain or lose legitimacy and confidence."
