This was another great – and timely – event put together by the Roberts & Ryan Geopolitical Team as Venezuela is a hot spot right now.
Special thanks to the Roberts & Ryan Geopolitical Team Austin Renforth, Andrew Darcy, Rear Admiral Matthew Ott, and our special guest James Story (Ambassador retired) for putting together a timely and important webinar focusing on rising tensions with Venezuela and the administration’s new focus on the Western hemisphere.
Roberts & Ryan hosted our institutional customers for a virtual geopolitical discussion.
Topics included:
• State of the Relationship Between the United States and Venezuela
• Implications of the New U.S. National Security Strategy for the Region
• Trade and Diplomatic Issues
• Forecast
With tensions rising between Venezuela and the United States, the risks of miscalculation, a direct military confrontation, and regime change are growing by the day. Participants heard directly from leaders with firsthand experience offering strategic and operational insight for those who need to understand what’s happening now, what’s coming next, and how to prepare.
Featured Speakers:
James Story (Ambassador retired) – Former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela; Founder, Palmetto International Consulting; Partner, Global Frontier Advisors
Served as Ambassador for the Venezuela Affairs Unit, located at the United States Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. Prior to that assignment Ambassador Story was the Chargé d’ Affaires at the Venezuela Affairs Unit and the United States Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, from July 2018 until the temporary suspension of operations and the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel due to security concerns.
Austin Renforth (MajGen USMC, Ret.) – Head of Geopolitical Strategy, Roberts & Ryan
Former Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.
Multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rear Admiral Matthew Ott (RADM USN, Ret.) – Founder & CEO, Ott & Associates and On Target Together
Former Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapon Systems Support; 32-year U.S. Navy career.
Director, Fleet Ordnance and Supply, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
Planning; V.P. Partnerships and Alliances Throughline, Inc.

