Venezuela: Democracy Delayed or Democracy Denied?
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Join moderator Michael Ard, program director of the MS in Intelligence Analysis program, as he welcomes former U.S. diplomat and current political consultant Brian R. Naranjo who will share his insights and expertise on Venezuela.
A former political officer, desk officer, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Caracas (2014-18) as the Embassy’s chief operating officer, Naranjo led crisis and risk management until the Maduro regime declared him persona non grata and expelled him for his advocacy on behalf of detained American citizen Joshua Holt. In addition to his nine years in multiple assignments in the country, he has maintained strong ties to Venezuela through an extensive network of key relationships developed over his senior-level positions and through his family. He is professionally fluent in Spanish, including Venezuelan criollo.
Naranjo served as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City from 2021–2024, leading over 100 professionals across the embassy and nine consulates advancing U.S. priorities on security, trade, and migration. He previously held the same portfolio at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa from 2018–2021, directing political operations during critical USMCA negotiations and the COVID-19 border response. For the final year of his tour in Ottawa, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission.
In Washington, Naranjo served at the White House as Executive Assistant (Chief of Staff) to the Deputy National Security Advisor, then to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs. He directed the State Department’s Office of Policy Planning for Western Hemisphere Affairs and the Office of UN Political Affairs.
Naranjo earned a BSFS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and an MA from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies.
Learn about Johns Hopkins’ MS in Intelligence Analysis program.