"Profound Political Change" Needed to Revive Venezuelan Higher Ed

"Venezuelan universities suffered under Maduro's reign, with economic decline leading to severe budget cuts. Hyperinflation means salaries have dipped to meager amounts, with reports suggesting that pay for professors averaged $15 per month in 2020, while student numbers have fallen dramatically. Meanwhile, the deposed leader's administration was known for jailing scholars it saw as critical of the government and has been accused of installing those with pro-Maduro views in leadership positions at universities."

"These attacks, combined with the economic crisis, have driven many scientists and academics out of the country. Benjamin Scharifker, emeritus professor at Simón Bolívar University in the capital, Caracas, said the country's university system and scientific institutions "absolutely collapsed" under Maduro, with attacks on universities seen as a way to maintain power. "If you collapse the universities, then you also collapse the possibility of students going to the street and protesting against the government," he said."

Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president after U.S. forces seized Nicolás Maduro. Academics are pessimistic her leadership will improve Venezuela's universities and say profound political change is needed. Universities suffered severe budget cuts amid economic decline and hyperinflation, leaving many professors with salaries averaging $15 per month in 2020 and sharp enrollment drops. The Maduro administration jailed critics and installed pro‑Maduro figures in university leadership. These attacks and the economic crisis prompted emigration; a 2020 study found a 16 percent loss of the scientific research workforce. Benjamin Scharifker said institutions "absolutely collapsed" under Maduro and that collapsing universities reduces the possibility of student protest.

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