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Joseph Bouchard
Researcher, Journalist, Consultant
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Security and Geopolitics in Latin America
I am a researcher, journalist, and consultant specializing in security and geopolitics in Latin America, living in the region.
I work as a Columnist for The Diplomat, providing analysis on China's growing role in Latin America. I also work as a Research Analyst with Southern Pulse, a business consultancy on Latin America. Additionally, I am serving as a Research Assistant at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, focusing on energy policy and security. I hold a fellowship with the Center on Conflict and Development, affiliated with Texas A&M University, focused on Colombia and Bolivia. I regularly work with academia, governments, international organizations, the private sector, and media on Latin America.
I will use this website to share my work and background, as well as my contact information.
My latest column.
Maduro’s Grip on Power is Tightening, and the U.S. Is Running Out of Options
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As doubts grow over whether the upcoming Venezuelan presidential election will be free and fair — or even happen at all — some politicians, analysts and activists have been calling this the “point of no return” for Venezuelan democracy. After American and Venezuelan negotiators in Barbados signed a deal to remove U.S. sanctions on fossil fuels and gold mining sectors in exchange for democratic guarantees, the Maduro government quickly began cracking down even harder on the opposition. Maduro has since jailed a number of critics and banned all plausible challengers from running against him, including frontrunner María Corina Machado. Machado’s top staffers have been jailed on mocked-up charges. Political prisoners in Venezuela are routinely subject to torture and abuse.
