United Nations Security Council, Kashmir Escalation: Indo-Pak Border Conflict, 2019
Double Delegation, Advanced Committee
Topic Summary
During the 1980s, Latin America’s political economy reached a turning point. Like most countries in the region, Venezuela was in a debt crisis, facing harsh hyperinflation. To fight rising inflation, President Carlos Andrés Pérez enacted a set of unpopular neoliberal reforms dependent on subsidy cuts, privatization, and an increase in transportation prices. On February 27, 1989, widespread unrest erupted as civilians flocked to the streets of Caracas. The protest quickly descended into riots, looting, and violent unrest, unfortunately, met with a harsh crackdown by the Venezuelan military. Up to 5,000 civilians were killed in the chaos.
Within the UNSC, you must look beyond condemning violence or recognizing economic hardship. As delegates, you’ll confront deeper issues such as state repression, economic instability, and civil unrest. Your directives should work to stabilize the social, economic, and democratic conditions of an embattled Venezuela, while balancing concerns over sovereignty and human rights. You must manage both short-term and long-term implications, improving the humanitarian situation on the ground while also mediating between the Venezuelan government and protest groups. An effective response to the “caracazo” requires collaborative, multifaceted directives centered around security, economic recovery, and the protection of democratic institutions.
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the United Nations Security Council! My name is Jesse Garcia, and I’m a Mexican-American originally from Fort Worth, Texas. At Harvard, I study Government with a secondary in Ethnicity, Migration, and Rights.
I’ve always been passionate about Latin American politics and international relations. However, I’ve never been able to manifest this interest within MUN. Coming to Harvard, HMUN opened this door for me. Beyond being an incredibly welcoming, talented community, HMUN has become a place where the diversity of our delegates fosters productive debate and challenges our understanding of the world. Throughout our conference, you will learn to work through each other's differences, building on the ideas of your fellow delegates and looking at global issues from a variety of perspectives. As your chair, I look forward to hearing the arguments that each of you brings forth. You’ll develop your leadership skills, growing as both delegates and change-makers.
Within our committee, you’ll explore the historical crisis in Venezuela at the turn of the 20th century. You’ll dive into the political economy of Latin America, simultaneously exploring the culmination of historical, political, and sociological factors in what became known as the “Carracazo”.
Going into my sophomore year, I look forward to running a smooth, fruitful committee for you all. Thanks for your patience, and I look forward to seeing you in the spring!
Best,
Jesse Garcia
Director, United Nations Security Council: All Eyes on Caracas
unsc@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
Esteemed members of the UNSC,
My name is Darshana Shah, and I am a sophomore at the College pursuing a double Philosophy and Neuroscience with a secondary in Studio Art. I am originally from New Jersey but I spent a good amount of time growing up in Massachusetts before moving back. With MUN, I compete on the Intercollegiate Model United Nations Team and outside of MUN I am heavily involved in the South Asian Community and am part of the Harvard Undergraduate Bhangra Team (dance team). In my free time, I love reading fiction, taking walks, playing volleyball, and jamming out to music anytime, anywhere.
I am thrilled to meet all of you and have you engage with the crazy chaos of this crisis committee. I am hoping to bombard you with ideas that drive dramatic debate in committee. I am beyond excited to see how relationships in the committee unfold while you leverage your own agenda. Get ready to fully immerse yourself in empowering roles that shape the trajectory of the committee, finding angles for your character’s arc in the shadows of every decision.
Crisis Director, United Nations Security Council: All Eyes on Caracas
unsc@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
