On January 16th, 2026, the International and Comparative Law (ICL) program hosted a discussion on the U.S. and International Law Implications of the United States intervention in Venezuela.
The event featured remarks from our globally known faculty, including Laura Dickinson, Lyle T. Alverson Professor of Law; Bill Dodge, Lobingier Professor of Comparative Law and Jurisprudence; Sean D. Murphy, Manatt/Ahn Professor of International Law; and Ed Swaine, Charles Kennedy Poe Research Professor. Rosa Celorio, the Burnett Family Associate Dean and Distinguished Lecturer in International Law, moderated this event. This event was co-sponsored by the GW Law National Security, Cybersecurity, and Foreign Relations Law Program.
The speakers discussed important legal elements to consider in understanding this watershed intervention, which took place on January 3rd, 2026, and its domestic, regional, and global repercussions. They also discussed the UN Charter and inter-American treaties; human rights; the balancing of war powers in the US, according to the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution; and head-of-state (and former head of state) immunity from prosecution in U.S. courts.
The ICL program is grateful to the numerous individuals who participated and engaged in this event, in particular our students, faculty, staff, and other members of our GW Law School community.
