 In a 2016 "National Review" article about Venezuela's deterioration following the Bolivarian Revolution, Weisbrot was described as one of the "leftist admirers of Venezuela" and an "ardent cheerleader" of Hugo Chávez's policies.In 2013, Weisbrot praised the Venezuelan government for what he said were gains in poverty, real income, employment, healthcare, and education, and argued that others were "crying wolf", saying that the possibility of hyperinflation was "very remote", that economic problems were "not likely" and that "Venezuela has sufficient reserves".In 2014, Weisbrot and his colleague Deborah James attended the "Chávez Was Here" gathering organized by the Embassy of Venezuela, Washington, D.C. on the one-year anniversary of the death of Hugo Chávez.