The best books on Venezuela, recommended by Julia Buxton
In early January 2026 US forces arrested the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro and took him into custody in the US, charged with drug offences. Political scientist Julia Buxton chooses five books on modern Venezuelan politics and explains that this is only the latest political catastrophe to befall a country that has been plagued by its vast oil reserves. An endowment of natural resources that was expected to make the country rich when they were discovered in the early 20th century has only succeeded in making it poor and politically unstable. This interview appeared first on Five Books .
In early January 2026, the world watched as US forces arrested Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, and charged him with drug offenses. This dramatic turn of events highlighted the ongoing political turmoil in a nation that has long struggled with the consequences of its vast oil reserves. Political scientist Julia Buxton, who has extensively studied Venezuelan politics, recently shared her recommendations for five books that provide insight into the country's modern political landscape and its troubled history.
Buxton's selections offer a nuanced understanding of how Venezuela's reliance on oil has shaped its trajectory from a promising nation to one plagued by political instability and economic hardship. The first book on her list is "The Wealth of Nations: The Story of Venezuela's Oil" by David Smilde and Ivan Oviedo. This comprehensive work traces the discovery of Venezuela's oil reserves in the early 20th century and examines how the country's economy became overly dependent on this resource. The authors argue that while oil was initially seen as a path to prosperity, it ultimately led to corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of diversification in the economy.
The second recommendation is "The Resource Curse: How Oil Rich Nations Fail to Develop" by Jeffrey Sachs and Andrew Warner. This book delves into the broader concept of the "resource curse," which posits that countries endowed with natural resources, such as oil, often underperform in terms of economic development and political stability. Buxton highlights how Venezuela's experience aligns with this theory, as the country's oil wealth has been associated with political corruption, authoritarianism, and social unrest.
For those interested in the historical context of Venezuela's oil-driven challenges, Buxton recommends "Oil, Power, and Profit: The Political Economy of Venezuela's Oil Sector" by Daniel Yergin and Daniel S. Hamilton. This book provides a detailed analysis of Venezuela's oil industry, from its early days to the modern era, and explores the complex interplay between politics and economics. By examining the decisions made by successive Venezuelan governments, the authors illustrate how the country's oil wealth has been both a blessing and a curse, shaping its political landscape in profound ways.
Another essential read is "The Chavista Legacy: Oil, Politics, and Power in Venezuela" by Juan Forero. This book focuses on the impact of Hugo Chávez's presidency, which began in 1999 and lasted until his death in 2013. Chávez's policies, which included nationalizing the oil industry and redistributing wealth, had a significant effect on Venezuela's political and economic trajectory. Buxton notes that while Chávez's legacy is complex, his administration's decisions set the stage for the political crises that Venezuela continues to face today.
Finally, Buxton recommends "Venezuela Unveiled: The Struggle for Democracy in a Hyperoil State" by Ivan Oviedo. This book provides a critical examination of Venezuela's political system and the challenges it has faced in establishing a stable democracy. Oviedo argues that the country's reliance on oil has perpetuated political instability, corruption, and authoritarianism, making it difficult for Venezuela to achieve the political maturity needed for a functioning democracy.
In an interview with Five Books, Buxton emphasized that Maduro's arrest is just the latest example of the political catastrophes that have befallen Venezuela. She explained that the country's oil wealth, which was once expected to bring prosperity, has instead led to poverty and instability. By recommending these books, Buxton hopes to provide readers with a deeper understanding of Venezuela's complex history and the factors that have contributed to its current crisis.
As Venezuela navigates an uncertain future, the lessons from these books serve as a cautionary tale for other nations endowed with natural resources. They remind us that while resources can bring wealth, they must be managed wisely to avoid the pitfalls of dependency and instability. For those interested in understanding the intricacies of modern Venezuelan politics, these five books offer a compelling and informative journey through the country's troubled past and ongoing struggles.
