John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
@jpolga.bsky.social
Political scientist at the U.S. Naval Academy, Minnesotan, Latin Americanist
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
I wanted to make a thread about the useful analyses coming out about the situation in Venezuela, but there is a lot, and everyday new things come out.
It may be more useful to share some of the existing analysis of how we got here. Books in no particular order and on various themes/issues...
🧵
It may be more useful to share some of the existing analysis of how we got here. Books in no particular order and on various themes/issues...
🧵
January 17, 2026 at 10:37 PM
I wanted to make a thread about the useful analyses coming out about the situation in Venezuela, but there is a lot, and everyday new things come out.
It may be more useful to share some of the existing analysis of how we got here. Books in no particular order and on various themes/issues...
🧵
It may be more useful to share some of the existing analysis of how we got here. Books in no particular order and on various themes/issues...
🧵
I wrote about what political science research suggests about democracy building in Venezuela after the way Nicolás Maduro was removed:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
We'll see what comes of María Corina Machado's meeting today with Trump-
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
We'll see what comes of María Corina Machado's meeting today with Trump-
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy | USAPP
While Maduro has been removed, Venezuela remains a dictatorship, and one that is unlikely to transition to a democracy without specific US interventions.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 15, 2026 at 4:09 PM
I wrote about what political science research suggests about democracy building in Venezuela after the way Nicolás Maduro was removed:
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
We'll see what comes of María Corina Machado's meeting today with Trump-
blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
We'll see what comes of María Corina Machado's meeting today with Trump-
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy writes @jpolga.bsky.social of the U.S. Naval Academy blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy | USAPP
While Maduro has been removed, Venezuela remains a dictatorship, and one that is unlikely to transition to a democracy without specific US interventions.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:12 AM
In Venezuela, the US has removed a dictator, but shows little sign of building a democracy writes @jpolga.bsky.social of the U.S. Naval Academy blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
@jpolga.bsky.social: "Delcy Rodríguez gobierna entre Washington y el núcleo duro del chavismo" agendapublica.es/noticia/2054...
John Polga-Hecimovich, analista especializado en el poder chavista: "Delcy Rodríguez gobierna entre Washington y el núcleo duro del chavismo"
El mundo mira con atención a lo que sucede en Caracas tras la detención de Nicolás Maduro. El académico norteamericano John Polga-Hecimovich es uno de los analistas con más conocimiento del régimen ch...
agendapublica.es
January 10, 2026 at 4:01 PM
@jpolga.bsky.social: "Delcy Rodríguez gobierna entre Washington y el núcleo duro del chavismo" agendapublica.es/noticia/2054...
Delighted to see The Economist list 'Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis' as one of "six books to read about Venezuela"
Our volume available here and other places: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
www.economist.com/culture/2026...
Our volume available here and other places: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
www.economist.com/culture/2026...
Six books to read about Venezuela
They explain the country’s slide from democracy to dictatorship
www.economist.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Delighted to see The Economist list 'Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis' as one of "six books to read about Venezuela"
Our volume available here and other places: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
www.economist.com/culture/2026...
Our volume available here and other places: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
www.economist.com/culture/2026...
I’m pleased to share my new publication with Javier Rodríguez-Sandoval in the Revista Uruguaya de Ciencia Política: “Las elecciones presidenciales de Ecuador 2025: ¿Realineamiento y bipartidismo sin partidos?”
Full-text available here: revistasfcs.edu.uy/index.php/ru...
Full-text available here: revistasfcs.edu.uy/index.php/ru...
Las elecciones presidenciales de Ecuador 2025: ¿realineamiento y bipartidismo sin partidos?
| Revista Uruguaya de Ciencia Política
revistasfcs.edu.uy
December 4, 2025 at 9:43 PM
I’m pleased to share my new publication with Javier Rodríguez-Sandoval in the Revista Uruguaya de Ciencia Política: “Las elecciones presidenciales de Ecuador 2025: ¿Realineamiento y bipartidismo sin partidos?”
Full-text available here: revistasfcs.edu.uy/index.php/ru...
Full-text available here: revistasfcs.edu.uy/index.php/ru...
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
🇺🇸🇻🇪As the US-Venezuela relations crisis continues, Wyoming Star explores potential military confrontation with @jpolga.bsky.social, IBI Consultants' Douglas Farah, and FIU's Brian Fonseca.
Learn more: wyomingstarnews.org/2025/11/03/e...
#USA #Venezuela #politics #analytics #military #crime
Learn more: wyomingstarnews.org/2025/11/03/e...
#USA #Venezuela #politics #analytics #military #crime
November 4, 2025 at 12:02 AM
🇺🇸🇻🇪As the US-Venezuela relations crisis continues, Wyoming Star explores potential military confrontation with @jpolga.bsky.social, IBI Consultants' Douglas Farah, and FIU's Brian Fonseca.
Learn more: wyomingstarnews.org/2025/11/03/e...
#USA #Venezuela #politics #analytics #military #crime
Learn more: wyomingstarnews.org/2025/11/03/e...
#USA #Venezuela #politics #analytics #military #crime
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
Read John Polga-Hecimovich's "Transnational Organized Crime and the Venezuelan State" in the new issue of
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, now available to read via @projectmuse.bsky.social
muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, now available to read via @projectmuse.bsky.social
muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
July 28, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Read John Polga-Hecimovich's "Transnational Organized Crime and the Venezuelan State" in the new issue of
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, now available to read via @projectmuse.bsky.social
muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, now available to read via @projectmuse.bsky.social
muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
New piece out for GIS:
Organized crime is evolving—and spreading—across Latin America, infiltrating not just streets, but states.
🇸🇻 Mano dura may win votes.
⚖️ But real security needs justice, reform & regional coordination.
Read here 👉 www.gisreportsonline.com/r/organized-...
Organized crime is evolving—and spreading—across Latin America, infiltrating not just streets, but states.
🇸🇻 Mano dura may win votes.
⚖️ But real security needs justice, reform & regional coordination.
Read here 👉 www.gisreportsonline.com/r/organized-...
Organized crime and security in Latin America – GIS Reports
Transnational crime in Latin America is growing across the region, posing a challenge to democracies.
www.gisreportsonline.com
July 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
New piece out for GIS:
Organized crime is evolving—and spreading—across Latin America, infiltrating not just streets, but states.
🇸🇻 Mano dura may win votes.
⚖️ But real security needs justice, reform & regional coordination.
Read here 👉 www.gisreportsonline.com/r/organized-...
Organized crime is evolving—and spreading—across Latin America, infiltrating not just streets, but states.
🇸🇻 Mano dura may win votes.
⚖️ But real security needs justice, reform & regional coordination.
Read here 👉 www.gisreportsonline.com/r/organized-...
New article out now in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, "Transnational Organized Crime and the Venezuelan State".
📰 muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
📄 DOI: doi.org/10.1353/gia....
In it, I examine the relationship between, well, transnational crime and the Venezuelan state under Maduro.
📰 muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
📄 DOI: doi.org/10.1353/gia....
In it, I examine the relationship between, well, transnational crime and the Venezuelan state under Maduro.
Project MUSE - Transnational Organized Crime and the Venezuelan State
muse.jhu.edu
July 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
New article out now in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, "Transnational Organized Crime and the Venezuelan State".
📰 muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
📄 DOI: doi.org/10.1353/gia....
In it, I examine the relationship between, well, transnational crime and the Venezuelan state under Maduro.
📰 muse.jhu.edu/article/965801
📄 DOI: doi.org/10.1353/gia....
In it, I examine the relationship between, well, transnational crime and the Venezuelan state under Maduro.
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
🇻🇪 En #MiradaSemanal examinamos el contexto de la elección regional y la consolidación autoritaria en #Venezuela.
🎙️ Para esta edición entrevistamos a @jpolga.bsky.social y Raúl Sanchez Urribarri en compañía de Manuel Alcántara, @maripuerta.com y la conducción de Xavier Rodríguez Franco.
🎙️ Para esta edición entrevistamos a @jpolga.bsky.social y Raúl Sanchez Urribarri en compañía de Manuel Alcántara, @maripuerta.com y la conducción de Xavier Rodríguez Franco.
May 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
🇻🇪 En #MiradaSemanal examinamos el contexto de la elección regional y la consolidación autoritaria en #Venezuela.
🎙️ Para esta edición entrevistamos a @jpolga.bsky.social y Raúl Sanchez Urribarri en compañía de Manuel Alcántara, @maripuerta.com y la conducción de Xavier Rodríguez Franco.
🎙️ Para esta edición entrevistamos a @jpolga.bsky.social y Raúl Sanchez Urribarri en compañía de Manuel Alcántara, @maripuerta.com y la conducción de Xavier Rodríguez Franco.
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
Join us tomorrow for a Roundtable to discuss our book: “Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro” edited by @jpolga.bsky.social & Raúl Sánchez #LASA2025
May 24, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Join us tomorrow for a Roundtable to discuss our book: “Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro” edited by @jpolga.bsky.social & Raúl Sánchez #LASA2025
I wrote about Trump Administration rhetoric & policy in Latin America, and how Latin American states are being pushed to pick between the U.S. and China.
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/latam-betw...
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/latam-betw...
Latin America between China and the U.S. – GIS Reports
Central and South America with the Caribbean face growing geopolitical pressure as Washington and Beijing compete for dominance south of the U.S. border.
www.gisreportsonline.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I wrote about Trump Administration rhetoric & policy in Latin America, and how Latin American states are being pushed to pick between the U.S. and China.
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/latam-betw...
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/latam-betw...
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
Today I got my copy of Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis, edited by @jpolga.bsky.social and Raúl Sánchez Urribarrí.
A nice present in troubled times.
Thanks to the editors for their amazing work and to @benedictebull.bsky.social and Manuel Sutherland for awesome team effort.
A nice present in troubled times.
Thanks to the editors for their amazing work and to @benedictebull.bsky.social and Manuel Sutherland for awesome team effort.
April 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Today I got my copy of Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis, edited by @jpolga.bsky.social and Raúl Sánchez Urribarrí.
A nice present in troubled times.
Thanks to the editors for their amazing work and to @benedictebull.bsky.social and Manuel Sutherland for awesome team effort.
A nice present in troubled times.
Thanks to the editors for their amazing work and to @benedictebull.bsky.social and Manuel Sutherland for awesome team effort.
I'm delighted that Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro, the book I co-edited with Raúl Sánchez Urribarrí, has officially been published!
It is available at in paperback, hardcover and eBook almost everywhere. See: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
It is available at in paperback, hardcover and eBook almost everywhere. See: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro
Bringing together experts from across the social sciences, this volume examines the consolidation of authoritarianism in Venezuela under the government of Nicolás Maduro. Taking a comparative perspect...
www.routledge.com
March 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I'm delighted that Authoritarian Consolidation in Times of Crisis: Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro, the book I co-edited with Raúl Sánchez Urribarrí, has officially been published!
It is available at in paperback, hardcover and eBook almost everywhere. See: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
It is available at in paperback, hardcover and eBook almost everywhere. See: www.routledge.com/Authoritaria...
In light of today's news, I'm reposting something that Charles Larratt-Smith and I wrote about TdA late last year:
americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
How Much of a Threat is Tren de Aragua in the U.S.?
The Venezuelan prison gang was a frequent theme in Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric on immigration. But its reach in the U.S. is exaggerated.
americasquarterly.org
March 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
In light of today's news, I'm reposting something that Charles Larratt-Smith and I wrote about TdA late last year:
americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
Day 1 of my "Comparative Politics of Latin America" course:
January 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Day 1 of my "Comparative Politics of Latin America" course:
The ongoing political and economic crisis in #Bolivia seems to have flown under the international radar.
I wrote about what all of this likely means for the country's 2025 elections and beyond:
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/bolivia-po...
I wrote about what all of this likely means for the country's 2025 elections and beyond:
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/bolivia-po...
Bolivia’s political chaos puts economy at risk – GIS Reports
Bolivia faces a confluence of political infighting, external pressures and the risk of economic collapse as the 2025 presidential election nears.
www.gisreportsonline.com
January 24, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The ongoing political and economic crisis in #Bolivia seems to have flown under the international radar.
I wrote about what all of this likely means for the country's 2025 elections and beyond:
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/bolivia-po...
I wrote about what all of this likely means for the country's 2025 elections and beyond:
www.gisreportsonline.com/r/bolivia-po...
Reposted by John Polga-Hecimovich 🧉
Researchers and experts in Latin America and Inter-American affairs.
Investigadores y expertos en América Latina y en asuntos interamericanos.
[Español - English - Português - Français]
go.bsky.app/LnqWyHT
Investigadores y expertos en América Latina y en asuntos interamericanos.
[Español - English - Português - Français]
go.bsky.app/LnqWyHT
January 21, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Researchers and experts in Latin America and Inter-American affairs.
Investigadores y expertos en América Latina y en asuntos interamericanos.
[Español - English - Português - Français]
go.bsky.app/LnqWyHT
Investigadores y expertos en América Latina y en asuntos interamericanos.
[Español - English - Português - Français]
go.bsky.app/LnqWyHT
The Los Angeles Times interviewed me about U.S.-Mexican and Chinese-Mexican relations in light of Trump's tariff proposals. (I thought I was just giving background, but they used the whole interview).
www.latimes.com/world-nation...
www.latimes.com/world-nation...
Trump's tariffs brought China and Mexico closer. Will his second term change that?
China has strengthened trade with Latin America at the expense of the U.S. But Donald Trump, who threatens to raise tariffs on Mexico, could upend those ties.
www.latimes.com
January 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The Los Angeles Times interviewed me about U.S.-Mexican and Chinese-Mexican relations in light of Trump's tariff proposals. (I thought I was just giving background, but they used the whole interview).
www.latimes.com/world-nation...
www.latimes.com/world-nation...
Grateful to be quoted alongside some really smart people in this @tomphillips.bsky.social article about Nicolás Maduro assuming his third six-year term tomorrow.
I sincerely hope that my pessimism is misplaced:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
I sincerely hope that my pessimism is misplaced:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Venezuela tumbles deeper into dictatorship with Nicolás Maduro set to extend 12-year rule
Global democratic leaders pledge a boycott as exiled opposition leader vows to return to challenge ceremony
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Grateful to be quoted alongside some really smart people in this @tomphillips.bsky.social article about Nicolás Maduro assuming his third six-year term tomorrow.
I sincerely hope that my pessimism is misplaced:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
I sincerely hope that my pessimism is misplaced:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...
Happy to share my commentary on next month's presidential election in #Ecuador in @The_Dialogue's Latin America Advisor (originally written on Dec 20): tinyurl.com/3vaje8az
January 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Happy to share my commentary on next month's presidential election in #Ecuador in @The_Dialogue's Latin America Advisor (originally written on Dec 20): tinyurl.com/3vaje8az
I guess that's *one* important thing that happened on January 6
January 7, 2025 at 1:03 AM
I guess that's *one* important thing that happened on January 6
Charles Larratt-Smith and I wrote about the exaggerated threat of the Tren de Aragua in the U.S.: www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
How Much of a Threat is Tren de Aragua in the U.S.?
The Venezuelan prison gang was a frequent theme in Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric on immigration. But its reach in the U.S. is exaggerated.
www.americasquarterly.org
December 9, 2024 at 2:09 PM
Charles Larratt-Smith and I wrote about the exaggerated threat of the Tren de Aragua in the U.S.: www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-...