Special: Debating Venezuela and Authoritarianism (Lp5012015)

Debating conditions in Venezuela provides a special topic this week on "Latin Pulse," as the program provides an extended time for a diplomatic representative of the Bolivarian government to respond to questions. Beyond an official representative of the Venezuelan government a left-wing critic of the government also discusses his view that Venezuela is slipping into autocracy. The news segment of the program covers the call this week for further investigations into illegal domestic spying in Colombia and the sentencing of former government officials to long prison sentences for ordering such illegal activities. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Jesus Rodriguez-Espinoza, Consul General for the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela; and James Bloodworth, editor of Left Foot Forward. Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; and Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock. The photo of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is from the Cuban government and is in the public domain. Produced for release on May 1, 2015. The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/