McCormick Quoted in CS Monitor Article on Venezuela Earthquakes, Implications and Trump

July 2, 2026

Christian Science Monitor

Gladys McCormick

History Department

Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict & Collaboration

Program on Latin America & the Caribbean

Government

International Affairs

Latin America & the Caribbean

Natural Disasters

U.S. Foreign Policy

Christian Science Monitor

Gladys McCormick

The June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela have intensified the country's humanitarian and political challenges, raising questions about the stability of its government and creating an early test of President Trump's strategy for Latin America. Analysts believe the disaster could increase regional instability if recovery efforts falter, while noting the U.S. has expanded its aid response and may face pressure to take a larger role in supporting Venezuela's recovery.

“This disaster throws a wrench in the White House and State Department plan for securing and stabilizing the circum-Caribbean region that includes Venezuela,” says Gladys McCormick, Jay and Debe Moskowitz Endowed Chair in Mexico-U.S. Relations. “It suddenly complicates the vision this administration has for the region, and it complicates the role of the U.S. in Venezuela.”

Read more in the Christian Science Monitor article, “Ousting Maduro, Trump vowed US would run Venezuela. Quakes put that to a test.”