A high-stakes gathering of former presidents from Latin America and Europe will take place on October 17, 2024, at Miami Dade College, in response to the escalating political and social turmoil in Venezuela. The IX Presidential Dialogue, featuring at least ten former heads of state, aims to address the fallout from Venezuela’s contested July 28 elections, where Nicolás Maduro falsely claimed victory despite clear evidence that opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia won by a wide margin.
This year’s dialogue is especially significant, as Venezuela teeters on the brink of a complete collapse. Former Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad warned that without immediate intervention, the country could plunge the entire region into political and economic chaos. He posed a stark question: if Maduro refuses to relinquish power after such a decisive electoral defeat, what example does this set for other authoritarian regimes across Latin America?
Mahuad didn’t mince words in describing Venezuela’s crisis as the “most colossal economic disaster” in the region’s history, born from a toxic mix of corruption, incompetence, and ideological extremism. He emphasized that the July elections were a clear mandate for change, yet Maduro’s regime continues to defy the democratic will, driving millions of Venezuelans into desperate exile. A staggering 68% of Venezuelans plan to flee the country in the coming months, according to a report by the Venezuelan Diaspora Observatory.
The meeting will delve into the critical legal, political, and informational battles being waged by the opposition. Despite overwhelming evidence of Maduro’s defeat, backed by international observers, the regime has tightened its grip on power, forcing González Urrutia into exile and opposition leader María Corina Machado into hiding. Yet, as Mahuad noted, the international community overwhelmingly recognizes the opposition’s
María Herrera Mellado es una abogada de EE.UU. y licenciada en España. Doctora en Ciencias Jurídicas y Analista política. La Dra. Herrera es conocida por su amplia experiencia en análisis y consultas en el diseño de políticas públicas, propuestas de ley y gestión en relaciones internacionales.
Su reconocimiento proviene de sus contribuciones al análisis y representación legal de diversas organizaciones, empresas e individuos que han visto abusados sus derechos humanos, su privacidad o en la inclusión de políticas efectivas fundamentalmente en el ámbito de la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas, así como la lucha contra la corrupción.
Su formación académica y experiencias profesionales la convierten en una voz respetada en el debate público y en el análisis de temas de actualidad sobre todo en los desafíos políticos y legales contemporáneos.
María Herrera Mellado is a U.S.-based attorney also licensed in Spain. She holds a PhD in Legal Sciences and is known as a media legal and policy analyst.
Dr. Herrera is recognized for her extensive experience in analyzing and consulting on public policy design, legislative proposals, and international relations management.
Her recognition stems from her contributions to the analysis and legal representation of various organizations, companies, and individuals whose human rights or privacy have been violated, or who have benefited from the inclusion of effective policies, primarily in the areas of transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
Her academic background and professional experience make her a respected voice in public debate and in the analysis of current issues, particularly in contemporary political and legal challenges.
