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A webinar hosted by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will examine the legal and political implications of the recent U.S. military raid in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, bringing together experts in political science, law and communication.

“The Law and Politics of U.S. Intervention in Venezuela and Beyond” will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. The event is free and open to the public, with advance registration required.

The discussion will feature UMass Amherst faculty with expertise in Venezuelan politics, Latin American affairs and international and domestic law. Panelists will analyze the stated legal basis—or lack thereof—for the U.S. raid and arrest, and assess the broader consequences of the action.

Panelists will also address what the intervention means for Venezuelans living in the country and abroad, as well as for Americans, as the Trump administration pursues its security, political and economic objectives in the region.

“The U.S. incursion in Venezuela, and ongoing threats to acquire Greenland, throw in stark relief divergent understandings of “Make America Great Again” and the challenge of maintaining peace and security in the region,” says panelist Jamie Rowen, professor of legal studies. “We hope to highlight the consequences for both our politics and the people most affected by these actions.”

Rowen will be joined on the panel by Angélica Bernal, associate professor of political science; Charli Carpenter, professor of political science; and Martha Fuentes-Bautista, senior lecturer of communication.

Registration is available online at https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A1uwwHGXQqWPfjGqGPDtOA#/registration.