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On Monday, it was announced that Georgetown University appointed former Chavista diplomat Angelo Rivero Santos as director of academic affairs at the Center for Latin American Studies. The information was released by Eric Farnsworth, vice-president of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society.
“Center for Latin American Studies at Georgetown hires former Venezuela charge d’affaires in Washington under Hugo Chavez as new director. A curious choice,” Farnsworth wrote on Twitter.
Rivero Santos’ official biography published on the university’s website highlights his diplomatic work in favor of Venezuela’s dictatorial socialist regime.”Between December 2006 and October 2013, Dr. Rivero Santos served as a high-ranking diplomat in the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Washington, D.C. He was first appointed as Minister Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs and for most of his tenure served as Deputy Chief of Mission to the White House (March 2007-October 2013). He was also designated to be Acting Ambassador (Charge d’Affaires, a.i). twice (September 2008-July 2009 & December 2010-May 2013).”
Criticism of Georgetown University
The university also adds: “Angelo Rivero Santos has 19 years of teaching and research experience in higher education as well as in negotiation, lobbying, advocacy and diplomatic practice.”
The university’s decision was criticized by several users of social networks. Venezuelan commentator Daniel Di Martino questioned the institution for allegedly pressuring Ilyan Shapiro to resign amid criticism of Joe Biden, but hires former employees of regimes “that kill people and make 6 million of us flee our country.”
Williams Perdomo es periodista y escritor, especializado en las fuentes Política y Cultura.