German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

DEEN

Jesús Renzullo

Research Fellow

Jesús Renzullo

  • Short CV

    • Since 11/2022: Doctoral Researcher CLICCS Excellence Cluster (Hamburg University) Program B3

    • Since 11/2022: Doctoral Researcher at the GIGA Institute for Latin America Studies and Research Programme 2 at the GIGA in Hamburg

    • Since 08/2022: External Consultant on Energy, Climate and Resources - Eurasia Group

    • Since 06/2022: Fellow of the Young Security Conference - EuropaNova Germany

    • 02/2022 - 07/2022: Researcher for financial analysis - Diaspora Management Limited (UK)

    • 06/2021 - 01/2022: Research Intern for the Geoeconomics Programme - German Council of Foreign Relations (DGAP)

    • 2020 - 07/2022: Helmut-Schmidt Scholarship Holder - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

    • 08/2021: Social Entrepeneurship Scholarship - Haniel Stiftung

    • 2020 - 2022: Master Program in Public Policy - Willy Brandt School (Erfurt University)

    • 2018 - 2020: Research Fellow and Project Coordinator - CEDICE Libertad Think Tank (Caracas, Venezuela)

    • 2018 - 2020: University Lecturer in International Relations Theory - Central University of Venezuela

    • 2013 - 2018: Bachelor in International Affairs - Central University of Venezuela

    Current Research

    • Geoeconomics of the energy transition
    • Supply chains and climate change
    • Climate-conflict Nexus
    • Climate policy and international affairs

    Research Programmes

    Memberships

    • UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab, UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab works on knowledge crowdsourcing and its translation into inequality-reducing policies. We operate through an online platform and a network of in-country projects. Our online platform surpasses 4700 members, 2000 experts and 150 online collaborative spaces. It is a leading platform of its kind, combining decentralised generation of data and consolidation of key trends. We run 20 in-country operations. These are impact-oriented projects that expand the boundaries of knowledge and its impact on inclusive policies., since 2023
    • Cluster of Excellence “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS), Member of the CLICCS excellence cluster B3 project on the link between climate change and conflict, since 2022

    Dissertation

    • Climate Change, Supply Chains and Conflict

    Awards

    • Academic Merit Award, Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, 2021
    • DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), 2020
    • Magna Cum Laude award, International Studies, Central University of Venezuela, 2018

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    [email protected]

    Publications

    GIGA Insights | 01/2026

    What Directions Might China–Venezuela Relations Take after Maduro’s Downfall?

    China and Venezuela’s long-standing alliance faces its toughest test yet after Maduro’s arrest. From oil-for-loans deals to digital surveillance and military cooperation, Beijing now risks losing influence as Washington moves to assert dominance over Caracas.

    Dr. Julia Gurol-Haller

    Research Fellow

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    GIGA Focus Latin America | 6/2025

    Venezuela between US Military Threat and Regime Survival

    The US military buildup along Venezuela’s coast has raised expectations that Maduro’s regime will collapse under pressure. However, this would probably not result in a democratic transition. Even if Maduro is forced to step down, a change of guard within the regime remains the more likely scenario.

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    Digital Cooperation with Global Partners - Policy Study | 08/2025

    Cybersecurity Developments in Latin America: Problems, Models, and Cooperation Channels

    Cybersecurity policy in Latin America lags behind despite the region’s high internet connectivity. This report analyzes different cybersecurity models, their global influences, and outlines key areas for cooperation with the EU and Germany to boost cyber resilience and digital privacy in the region.

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    Molly M. Hall

    Digital Cooperation with Global Partners - Policy Study | 05/2025

    Digital Disinformation Trends in Latin America: Organisation, Goals, and Policy Pushback

    Digital disinformation is on the rise in Latin America, threatening democratic dialogue in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. This report explores recent trends, campaign tactics, and offers policy ideas for stronger responses—including EU-Latin America cooperation.

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    GIGA Focus Latin America | 2/2024

    Conditions for Democratic Transitions: Venezuela’s 2024 Elections

    The unification of the opposition under María Corina Machado is an unprecedented political challenge for the regime of Nicolás Maduro. To eliminate candidates and splinter the opposition, the regime weaponises the judiciary and persecutes political enemies, making free and fair elections unlikely.

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    Research Projects

    Research Project | 01/02/2024 - 31/12/2026

    Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), Phase II: Digitalisation as Chance for Cooperation with Global Partners

    GIGA‘s Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, analyses the political drivers and real-world consequences of the digital transformation taking place around the world. The Global South in particular is an important actor in and shaper of this transformation.
    FFO, 2024-2026

    Research Project | 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

    Climate Obstruction and Foreign Policy in Comparative Perspective

    The fight against climate change continues to be hindered by campaigns of corporate and other actors who seek to prevent global and/or national action on climate change. This research group is set up to a joint and comparative research agenda on climate obstruction in and across key Global South countries. The lead institutions are the GIGA and the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).
    DAAD/CAPES, 2024-2026

    Media Contributions

    FAZ | Expert Comment / Guest Contribution | 08/01/2026

    Venezuela: Washington übernimmt, Caracas' Machtcliquen bleiben

    Maduros Entführung hat Venezuela nicht befreit, das autoritäre System bleibt intakt. Die Zukunftsszenarien geben keinen Anlass zur Hoffnung, schreibt GIGA-Forscher Jesus Renzullo.

    Tagesschau | Quote | 05/01/2026

    Nach Entmachtung Maduros: Wie stabil ist Venezuelas Interimsregierung?

    Während der entmachtete Präsident Maduro in US-Haft sitzt, hat Vizepräsidentin Rodríguez die Regierung in Venezuela übernommen. Wie lange kann sie sich halten? Und welche Rolle spielt die Opposition?

    WEB.de | Interview | 04/01/2026

    Warum Maduros Gefangennahme ein Hoch- und Tiefpunkt zugleich ist

    Viele Venezolaner sind erleichtert, doch die Verunsicherung ist groß. Droht sogar ein Bürgerkrieg? Lateinamerika-Experte Jesus Renzullo erklärt, was die Festnahme von Nicolás Maduro durch das US-Militär für Venezuela bedeutet.

    Lectures

    Conference | 01/12/2025

    DigiTraL-Workshop "Dependencies, Partnerships, and Digital Bridges"

    This workshop brings together experts from across regions to discuss critical issues at the intersection of AI governance, cyber resilience, and digital transformation.

    Dr. Iris Wieczorek

    Dr. Sara Bazoobandi

    Jesús Renzullo

    Panel discussion | 27/03/2024

    Just Energy Transition in the Global South

    South Asia Climate Dialogue, Hertie School, Berlin Organisers: Hertie School of Governance Jesús Renzullo (Speaker)

    The SACD attempts to answer questions regarding the energy transition such as (1) what does a Just Energy Transition mean for the Global South? (2) How to balance priorities between transition and justice? (3) what are good practices for international cooperation in the JET? (4) what are the opportunities and challenges with it?

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    Workshop | 22/02/2024 - 23/02/2024

    On Globalization of Climate-related Political Instability: The Correlation between Global Food Supply Chain Shocks and Violent Intrastate Conflict

    IBEI-GIGA Workshop Security, Conflict and Peace, IBEI, Barcelona Jesús Renzullo (Speaker)

    Jesus Renzullo presents the framework for a large-N study to find causality between climate-related shocks in major food-producing countries and conflict preconditions (inflation, unemployment) in both net food exporters and net food importers between 1998 and 2018.

    Jesús Renzullo

    Research Fellow

    Teaching

    Teaching | GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies | Peace and Security | GIGA Doctoral Programme | 2023

    ekomex: Introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)

    The course introduces Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) as a set-theoretic technique for comparing intermediate to large numbers of cases that models causal complexity to analyze necessary or sufficient conditions for an outcome, covering its main assumptions, standard procedures, operations, and technical application.

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