Mark Feierstein is a senior advisor with the Latin America program at USIP.

Prior to USIP, Feierstein served for more than three decades at senior levels in the public and private sectors. In government, he has served as senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs and special assistant to the president on the National Security Council, acting deputy administrator as well as assistant administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean at USAID, and as acting deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States.

Outside government, Feierstein has spent time as a principal at a polling firm, as director for Latin America at the National Democratic Institute, and as a journalist in Mexico and the United States. In addition to his USIP role, he serves as a senior advisor with Dentons Global Advisors, where he advises clients on investment risks and opportunities in Latin America, and at the polling firm GBAO, where he conducts public opinion research for multinational companies, foundations and political figures throughout the world.

Throughout his career, Feierstein has worked to advance democracy and respect for human rights. He has advised democratic movements in authoritarian settings, promoted peace processes to end violent conflict and designed programs to advance economic development, strengthen the rule of law, promote civic education and combat violent extremism.

Feierstein has published in numerous newspapers and journals on U.S. foreign policy and Latin American politics. His most recent articles have focused on Venezuela, where he has made the case for elections as the best option to advance a democratic transition, noted the role that businesses can play in supporting refugees and urged a bipartisan U.S approach.

Feierstein has a bachelor’s in international relations from Tufts University and a master’s in international affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is fluent in Spanish.
 

Publications By Mark

Un enfoque bipartidista estadounidense sobre Venezuela es posible – y necesario

Un enfoque bipartidista estadounidense sobre Venezuela es posible – y necesario

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Juan Cruz;  Mark Feierstein

A pesar del gobierno dividido en Washington (ejecutivo demócrata y legislativo republicano), hay un amplio espacio para la acción bipartidista en la política exterior de Estados Unidos. Hacerle control a los avances de China y apoyar a Ucrania contra Rusia encabezan la lista, pero la principal oportunidad para que republicanos y demócratas trabajen juntos puede estar en Venezuela, donde las elecciones presidenciales del próximo año ofrecen la mejor oportunidad en años para una apertura democrática.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Global Policy

A Bipartisan U.S. Approach on Venezuela Is Possible — and Necessary

A Bipartisan U.S. Approach on Venezuela Is Possible — and Necessary

Thursday, March 9, 2023

By: Juan Cruz;  Mark Feierstein

Despite divided government in Washington, there is ample room for bipartisan action on U.S. foreign policy. Countering China and buttressing Ukraine against Russia top the list, but the foremost opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together may be in Venezuela, where presidential elections next year offer the best chance in years for a democratic opening.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Global Policy

Seis formas de ayudar a mantener las negociaciones en Venezuela

Seis formas de ayudar a mantener las negociaciones en Venezuela

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

By: Mark Feierstein;  Keith Mines;  Nicolas Devia-Valbuena

A fines del año pasado, la Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela, controlada por la oposición, votó a favor de disolver el “gobierno interino” encabezado por Juan Guaidó, un proyecto de cuatro años diseñado para sustituir al gobernante del país, Nicolás Maduro. Este voto se produce en medio de un panorama regional cambiante, con gobiernos de izquierda recién elegidos en los vecinos Brasil y Colombia que apoyan una solución negociada al conflicto y un enfoque más moderado por parte de muchos de los aliados tradicionales en el exterior de la oposición.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & GovernanceMediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

Six Ways to Help Sustain Venezuela’s Negotiations

Six Ways to Help Sustain Venezuela’s Negotiations

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

By: Mark Feierstein;  Keith Mines;  Nicolas Devia-Valbuena

At the end of last year, Venezuela’s opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to disband the “interim government,” led by Juan Guaidó, a four-year project designed to displace the country’s ruler, Nicolas Maduro. This comes amid a shifting regional landscape, with newly elected leftist governments in neighboring Brazil and Colombia supporting a negotiated solution to the conflict, and a more nuanced approach from many of the opposition’s traditional international supporters. The key to progress in the year ahead will be maintaining consistent negotiations, which remain the most efficient venue for key decisions, such as on elections, and engagement. There are several key ways to help nurture and sustain these talks, and to make them more impactful in achieving short-term improvements in the lives of the Venezuelan people.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & GovernanceMediation, Negotiation & Dialogue

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