Latin Pulse: 5.08.2015

This week, Latin Pulse concludes its spring series of programs looking at the roiling political waters in Venezuela. Experts on the program look at the use of conspiracy theories and how they are used to make propaganda gains and control the political discourse. The program also discusses the breakdown of democratic institutions in the country and the credibility of elections. The news segment of the program covers accusations by the head of the Venezuelan National Assembly that he expects the political opposition to use fraud to make political gains in elections for the assembly later this year. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Hugo Perez Hernaiz* of the Universidad Central de Venezuela; and Michael McCarthy of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock. (To download or stream this podcast, click here.) *Hugo Perez Hernaiz is also the author of the Venezuela Conspiracy Theories Monitor blog. (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcast news Latin America diplomacy politics Venezuela autocracy justice elections PSUV socialists media conspiracy propaganda military United States coup plots democracy violence domestic espionage Nicolas Maduro Diosdado Cabello Leopoldo Lopez Antonio Ledezma Drug Enforcement Administration political repression Hugo Chavez coup DEA Drug War imperialism Maria Corina Machado Operation Jericho plot conspiracy theories human rights Henrique Capriles Julio Borges military tribunal Copei secret police free expression Carlos Andres Perez