About Us

FreeVenezuela.org is an online movement advocating for the advancement of democracy in Venezuela. This means not just free and fair elections, but respect for civil society, for independent political and media institutions, and allowing for genuine differences of political opinion. Over the past decade the regime of Hugo Chavez, and the military junta that supports him, have gradually eaten away at these very pillars of a free society. On October 7, 2012, the Venezuelan people have the opportunity to set a new course for their society, uncorrupted by the influence of narcotics trafficking generals and interference from foreign rogue states like Cuba and Iran.

FreeVenezuela.org is supported by individuals advocating for democracy and human rights in Venezuela.

These editorial contributors represent a diverse cross-section of individuals committed to building a better Venezuela.

Diego Arria

Diego Arria is a distinguished Venezuelan political analyst and former diplomat. As the permanent representative of Venezuela to the United Nations in New York from 1991-93, he served as President of the UN Security Council. Arria later served as Special Adviser to the former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.

Diego has been a Visiting Diplomatic Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the UN’s International Peace Academy and on the Advisory Board of the International Crisis Group.

Diego is one of the most well-known figures in the Venezuelan opposition to the Chavez regime. He has authored numerous articles and op-eds highlighting the danger posed by Chavez. Click here to read his August 2012 editorial, “An Enemy Close to Home,” in the New York Daily News.

Antonio A. Herrera-Vaillant

Antonio is the founder of the Inter American Competitive Experience Network (RedCompetitividad), a not for profit foundation based in Bogotá that organizes learning programs geared at strengthening Latin American democratic governance and competitiveness through improved understanding of global best practices. He is also Editor of “Venezuelan Daily Briefs”, an overview of Venezuela’s economy, finance and politics, published twice a week.

Antonio is currently a syndicated newspaper columnist for EL UNIVERSAL (Caracas), NOTITARDE (Valencia), EL IMPULSO (Barquisimeto), LA NACIÓN (San Cristobal), and EL TIEMPO (Puerto La Cruz).

A graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Antonio is a well known international analyst and speaker with lengthy experience in public-private issues, economic development and inter-American affairs.  He is an author and editor of several books, and the recipient of the Gold Medal awarded by Spain’s prestigious Royal Academy of History.

Marco Vicenzino

Marco Vicenzino is an internationally acclaimed foreign policy expert and commentator.  As a graduate of Oxford University and Georgetown University Law Center, Vicenzino has constantly distinguished himself through his ability to master and inter-connect a wide range of international topics and speak authoritatively on diverse media outlets around the world.

Vicenzino appears on CNN, BBC, Fox, Al Jazeera, and many others.  His writings and views have appeared in leading publications/websites including the New York Times, Financial Times, Guardian, El Mundo, El Pais, Folha de Sao Paulo, Globo, El Universal, El Mercurio, El Espectador, El Nuevo Herald, La Nacion and others.  Vicenzino is a regular guest speaker and panelist at international conferences around the world.  His public-speaking engagements on topics of global concern have included appearances in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.