¡Viva Venezuela!

What country in Latin America do you think might be in a deep, deep depression culturally, economically, and politically? Some might say Nicaragua, which is true. Others might say Mexico, which also has some major issues, but there’s a country at the very top of South America that's going through some very challenging times; Venezuela. 

Venezuela, a nation that's rich in culture and oil, yet is beginning to spiral downwards to rock bottom. Once a strong democracy in South America, Venezuela has the worlds largest oil reserves (trailing behind them is Saudi Arabia). They are even a member of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). In 2013, Nicolás Maduro was elected as President of Venezuela after Hugo Chávez died in March of 2013. But before Maduro was put in power Chávez, according to Vox, helped the Venezuelan economy boom after oil prices had gone up and many low-class citizens had jobs but when Chávez died, the economy was falling apart and oil prices were at a low in 2014. Maduro tried his best to adjust to this loss but failed miserably. 

Unfortunately, Maduro has been leading Venezuela to Socialism and that's not going very well. Two years after he was elected, an opposition party was formed to prevent Maduro from regaining presidency but he had other plans for those who opposed him. He jailed several members of his opponents and shut down all those who did not agree with his policies. Just recently in May he illegally re-elected himself without anyone running against him because anyone who tried was thrown in jail. Recently on Fox Business, Asymmetrica President Vanessa Neumann made the statements that, “82 military commanders have been detained and/or being tortured for coup attempts.” 

Have there been any attempts by outside actors, yes. Not too long ago Vice President Pence was in Ecuador with leaders to figure out what other countries in the region could do to stop Maduro. Alarmingly there were rumors, in which were all very true, that President Trump suggested to a military response to Maduro’s crackdown but many of Trump's advisors shot those ideas down as some latino countries would oppose such a move. Something does need to happen, and it needs to happen fast. Millions of Venezuelans have no access to basic medicines like Tylenol and antibiotics to stop infections as well as food. People are resorting to bartering and using the black market to fend for their families. Some even have family ship food to them from abroad because they’re so poor. Inflation is unbelievably high and thousands of bolívars (Venezuela currency) are equal to one U.S. dollar. One dollar! Nothing benefits middle and lower class citizens, only those under Maduro’s ring of elites. 

I am very concerned about the situation in Venezuela. Severl have died and many are imprisoned for protesting Maduro. Refugees are fleeing by the thousands to northern Brazil, which has overwhelmed the Brazilian authorities. In April, Brazil shut down its borders with Venezuela as the refugee crisis there is uncontrollable and has been harming the economy. Brazilian authorities are even using Air Force planes to move refugees to other cities in Brazil because conditions in northern Brazil are getting worse. Something needs to be done about this but its been very hard for the President and other Latino leaders to find a solution to this. My hope is that Maduro will be overthrown and Venezuela can find a leader who will give rights and freedoms to all social classes and help those who are starving. After researching about this crisis, I would love to go to Brazil to help refugees there because they need help and so does Brazil. God bless you and spread the word about this. The United States needs to be more informed about this. ¡Vaya con Dios Venezuela!