Outspoken Chavez critic, Teodoro Petkoff, to speak about Venezuelan politics and economy at FIU

WHAT: Florida International University’s Latin American and Caribbean Center will present a lecture by Teodoro Petkoff Malec entitled “Venezuela: Realidades Políticas y Económicas” (“Venezuela: Political and Economic Realities”).  Petkoff is a well-known Venezuelan politician, journalist, economist and critic of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The presentation will be in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation in English.

WHO: One of the most prominent politicians in Venezuela, Teodoro Petkoff has been outspoken in his criticism of both Chavismo and those who supported a coup attempt against Chávez. He holds a degree in Economics from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) where he served as a professor for 14 years. In 1971, Petkoff founded the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS). In the second government of Rafael Caldera (1994-1999), Petkoff served as Minister of the Central Office of Coordination and Planning. In 1998 Petkoff left the MAS and became a journalist, working as director of  El Mundo. Later, he founded his own newspaper, Tal Cual. Petkoff has authored several books on politics, including Las dos izquierdas (The Two Lefts) in which he analyzes the resurgence of left-wing politics in Latin America. 

WHEN: Friday, March 6, 2009 at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Wertheim Performing Arts Center Concert Hall at Florida International University-University Park, 11200 SW 8^th St., Miami. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.  Tickets are available for pick-up Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Latin American and Caribbean Center in DM 353 at FIU-University Park.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call the Latin American and Caribbean Center at 305-348-2894.

Media contact: Madeline Baró at 305-348-2234.

 -FIU-

 About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.