Under Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela from 1999 to 2013, the country experienced the biggest economic boom in its history. Venezuela has the highest proven oil reserves in the world, and Chávez took office as oil prices soared in the 2000s. Chavez used these revenues to nationalize key industries and expand social programs as part of his plan for a more equal, prosperous and secure nation. However, by the end of Chavez’s presidency his government’s policies were unsustainable, leading to a faltering economy, increases in Venezuela’s homicide rate, and on-going corruption within the government.
His successor, Nicolás Maduro, has overseen a country in spectacular decline. Oil prices crashed in 2014, and Maduro’s attempts to continue welfare programs led to government over-expenditure and ultimately hyperinflation, a situation compounded by US sanctions.
To get the subsidized and scarce food, people wait in line for hours, the salary of 10$ per month is not enough to buy it in the black market, the food shortage of 80% are making entire families to starve, kids to die of malnutrition or even being abandoned by their parents.
Also the violence has continued to increase,Venezuela is among the most dangerous countries in the world to live in. The country seems at war with itself with one of the highest rates of murder of the world per people, every year an average of 24.000 Venezuelans die because of violenc
This is the slow motion collapse of Venezuela; a country that not so far away I used to call: home.