Articles by Ray Walser

Ray Walser is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, the Heritage Foundation

Obama in Mexico: Change the reality, not the conversation

Changing a conversation is easy. Politicians and diplomats do it all the time. But hard facts and real deeds shape the bedrock of reality
by Ray Walser - 2 May 2013
Bipolar Maduro regime arrests American filmmaker

The Maduro regime’s fundamentally bipolar, often paranoid approach to governing, has seen an American filmmaker caught up in the cross fire
by Ray Walser - 30 April 2013
Despite victory claim, big setback for Chavismo in Venezuela

The electoral outcome, if it stands, clearly demonstrates that the hold Chavez once exerted upon adoring masses does not extend to his hand-picked heir
by Ray Walser - 16 April 2013
Beware of Venezuela’s paranoid anti-Americanism

Like it or not, the Obama Administration finds itself drawn into Venezuela’s growing crisis of governability caused by the increasingly irresponsible behavior of Chavez knock-offs like Maduro
by Ray Walser - 19 March 2013
Reckless and outrageous: Chavez heir accuses U.S. of murder

Chavez’s passing will be a difficult moment for Venezuela. But wild accusations by his successors have the potential to cause a bloodbath
by Ray Walser - 6 March 2013
Chavez’s return to Caracas answers few questions

Hugo Chavez has finally returned to Caracas, but that doesn't put an end to questions
by Ray Walser - 20 February 2013
Waiting for Hugo Chavez: Theatrics and a languishing economy

Uncertain Venezuelans can anticipate a continued poor economy (and less bread for the bolivar), but more government circuses and theatrical antics
by Ray Walser - 12 February 2013
Dictator Castro now in charge of Latin American pro-democracy group

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), passed its rotating presidency to Cuba’s dictator General Raul Castro on Monday
by Ray Walser - 30 January 2013
Venezuela: Hurtling toward the post-Chavez chasm

As 2013 begins, Venezuela continues hurtling toward a constitutional chasm
by Ray Walser - 7 January 2013
Chavez's authoritarian regime sweeps governorships

Initial electoral results indicate that Chavez’s candidates won in 20 of the 23 governors’ races in Venezuela's latest round of elections
by Ray Walser - 18 December 2012
Mexico’s new President takes office

Today is a day to celebrate the orderly democratic transition from Calderon to Peña Nieto and the start of what is hoped to be a productive and prosperous presidency. The work, however, has just begun
by Ray Walser - 4 December 2012
David vs. Goliath in Venezuela’s elections

The Venezuelan people must be allowed to decide if they wish to live for six more years with their socialist Goliath or take a chance on a democratic David
by Ray Walser - 5 October 2012
Iran: A strategy for the threat closer to home

Iran's influence in the Western Hemisphere should be closely monitored by the US as it nears the level of "tier 1" national security priority
by Ray Walser - 19 September 2012
Venezuela refinery disaster spotlights Chavez’s mismanagement

Chavez's anti-American agenda, oil giveaway programmes, and general mismanagement are badly hurting state-run PDVSA's performance
by Ray Walser - 29 August 2012
Mexico: Elections that truly matter

After the Mexican elections on Sunday, Washington must ensure that bilateral relations aren't left to languish during the US presidential campaign
by Ray Walser - 4 July 2012