Venezuela tries an environmental rebrand, but critics aren’t buying it

Over the last few years, the Venezuelan government has taken a surprising interest in the environment. President Nicolás Maduro, usually silent on the topic, recently posted on social media about a “green Venezuela.” He announced a “world congress of eco-socialism” for December and has called for greater support for countries impacted by climate change. Yet for many observers, the environmental rhetoric rings hollow. Oil spills continue to pollute the country’s coastline, and illegal gold mining has expanded into protected areas, often with tacit government approval. What Maduro is really after, critics say, is new revenue and a cleanup of the country’s reputation. “There has been an attempt to reintegrate Maduro’s government into the international community through green policy announceme