Venezuela's Government Targets Economists Amid Economic Crisis

Sat Sep 13 2025 17:16:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a striking move, Venezuela's authoritarian government escalates its crackdown by detaining economists, aiming to control the narrative of the nation's financial turmoil.

As Venezuela grapples with soaring inflation and stifling sanctions, President Nicolás Maduro's regime has intensified its campaign against dissent, now focusing on economists. The government's actions reflect an effort to suppress independent voices and obscure the realities of the deteriorating economic landscape. Recent reports indicate that around two dozen economists have been detained recently, prompting concerns regarding government transparency and censorship.

The Central Bank of Venezuela has historically withheld accurate economic data, compelling experts and independent analysts to rely on their assessments to understand the crisis. Phil Gunson, a longtime analyst in Venezuela, articulated that such actions represent a "shoot-the-messenger" mentality that jeopardizes economic inquiry and undermines essential financial transparency.

The situation continues to evolve as the international community watches closely; the implications of the regime's targeting of economists in Venezuela could shift global perceptions of the nation’s economic stability and governance.

Overall, the Venezuelan government's crackdown on independent economists underscores a broader pattern of authoritarian control in a landscape increasingly defined by fear and suppression of free expression.