Gabriel Hetland

GabrielHetland

Gabriel Hetland is an associate professor of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies at University at Albany and author of Democracy on the Ground: Local Politics in Latin America's Left Turn.

Shane Velez of the Bronx installs a solar electric system panel in Tory, New York, on August 7, 2015.

This Solar Panel Kills Fascists This Solar Panel Kills Fascists

New York’s Build Public Renewables Act will reduce carbon in the atmosphere, combat inequality, and help workers. It might also defeat Trumpism.

Dec 9, 2024 / Gabriel Hetland

Colombian President Gustavo Petro looks on before the 2024 Colombia Independence Day Parade on July 20, 2024, in Bogotá.

It’s Hard to Be a Leftist Leader in Colombia It’s Hard to Be a Leftist Leader in Colombia

Since taking office in August 2022, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has pursued an ambitious agenda—with mixed results.

Aug 15, 2024 / Gabriel Hetland

Venezuelan Crisis

What the UN Report Gets Right—and Wrong—About the Crisis in Venezuela What the UN Report Gets Right—and Wrong—About the Crisis in Venezuela

The document paints a devastating portrait of the country’s economic situation—but overlooks the US role in the suffering.

Jul 24, 2019 / Gabriel Hetland

Venezuela Dam

Venezuela’s Deadly Blackout Highlights the Need for a Negotiated Resolution of the Crisis Venezuela’s Deadly Blackout Highlights the Need for a Negotiated Resolution of the Crisis

Maduro is corrupt and increasingly repressive, but US sanctions and violence by the US-supported opposition have contributed to Venezuelans’ suffering.

Mar 13, 2019 / Gabriel Hetland

Demonstrators walk amid tear gas fired by Bolivarian National Guards on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela on July 20, 2017.

Venezuela May Be on the Brink of Civil War Venezuela May Be on the Brink of Civil War

The international left should do everything in its power to prevent it; we must support a negotiated solution.

Aug 9, 2017 / Gabriel Hetland

Opposition Motorcycles Venezuela

Why Is Venezuela in Crisis? Why Is Venezuela in Crisis?

Much of it is due to government blundering. But opposition protests, often violent, and destabilization from Washington have wreaked havoc as well.

Aug 17, 2016 / Gabriel Hetland

Venezuelan food market

How Severe Is Venezuela’s Crisis? How Severe Is Venezuela’s Crisis?

It’s deep but not cataclysmic, and mainstream US media have consistently exaggerated the extent of it.

Jun 22, 2016 / Gabriel Hetland

The End of Chavismo? Why Venezuela’s Ruling Party Lost Big, and What Comes Next

The End of Chavismo? Why Venezuela’s Ruling Party Lost Big, and What Comes Next The End of Chavismo? Why Venezuela’s Ruling Party Lost Big, and What Comes Next

Even Chavistas are fed up with the economic crisis and want change. But unlike the right, grassroots leaders are calling for more popular control and collective decision-making.

Dec 10, 2015 / Gabriel Hetland

What Next for Venezuela, After Chávez?

What Next for Venezuela, After Chávez? What Next for Venezuela, After Chávez?

He may have been a dominant, charismatic leader, but Chavismo is an internally diverse, deeply rooted movement that will not disappear anytime soon.

Mar 8, 2013 / Gabriel Hetland

A New Way to Occupy City Hall: Participatory Budgeting A New Way to Occupy City Hall: Participatory Budgeting

 Through participatory budgeting, can Occupy bring the movement for direct democracy into the heart of government power?

Mar 15, 2012 / Gabriel Hetland and Abigail N. Martin

x