It's hard to keep up with all the events in Venezuela and wanted to write a summary of all that is taking place over there.
1980- Venezuela a Democracy and an oil rich country.
Venezuela used to be considered a miracle country. Until the early 1980s, it was one of the only four Latin American countries certified by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income economy. It was also a stable, center-left democracy, quite an oasis in a region plagued by authoritarianism, insurgency, or unrest. Today, Venezuela is in ruins. After the discovery of oil in the early 20th century, the nation quickly built its economy on back of black gold – and even today, Venezuela leads the world in proven oil reserves with 300 billion barrels.
 |
| http://money.visualcapitalist.com/richer-poorer-venezuela-economic-tragedy/ |
1998- Hugo Chavez becomes president and implements socialist programs.
After a failed coup to overthrow the government in 1992, Hugo Chavez is democratically elected to power in 1998 and he remained president until 2013.
Chávez focused on enacting social reforms. Using record-high oil revenues of the 2000s, his government nationalized key industries and implemented social programs to expand access to food, housing, healthcare and educationChávez's populist policies eventually led to a severe socioeconomic crisis in Venezuela.*
 |
| Wikipedia |
2013- Chavez dies and Nicolas Maduro is elected to power.
Nicolás Maduro was first elected in April 2013 after the death of his socialist mentor and predecessor in office, Hugo Chávez.
Things got much worse.
Hyperinflation of 200-300% between 2016-2019. There have been food and medicine shortages, soaring infant mortality, and one of the world’s highest violent crime rates.
Public health is just as bad. As hospitals have run out of imported antibiotics, surgical supplies and spare parts for medical equipment, infant mortality rose 30 percent, maternal mortality 65 percent, and malaria 76 percent in 2016.
A poll released in Feb 2017 among Venezuelan nationals found that 75 percent of Venezuelans reported losing “at least 19 pounds” in 2016, while 93 percent of Venezuelans said they do not have the money to secure three meals a day for themselves.
January 2019- The Assembly of Venezuela (outlawed by Maduro) elects Juan Guaido as the legimitate interim president of Venezuela.
A lot of international support for Guaidó.
Guaidó is supported by the United States, the EU and other countries condemning the Maduro regime and questioning the legitimacy of the elections that gave him his second term of office.
US President Donald Trump announced shortly after the swearing in to recognize Guaidó as interim president. Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, says that Trump's government will ask Maduro to resign "in favor of a legitimate leader who reflects the will of the people".
Maduro states that the opposition is trying to carry out a coup with the support of the American authorities, who in turn want to take part in the Venezuelan government. He has called in the help of the army to preserve "unity and discipline" in his country. c
February 2019- Humanitarian aid is attempted to be delivered to Venezuela by the U.S and Canada. President Nicolas Maduro refused to accept the aid and sent troops to every border to prevent the trucks from getting through. There are reports of some trucks getting through and being set on fire before it reaches the people of Venezuela.
March 2019- The main Guri water power plant in Venezuela goes out. This plan supplied over 80% of the country's power. Due to years of lack of maintenance, lack of engineers, and the capital to restore the plant, it is unclear of when it will be back up and running.
This creates a major blackout for most of the country along with lack of water as well. Hospitals are in the dark, food spoils in refrigerators, people are not able to go to the shower or bathroom. There is a great unrest and looting across the country.
Currently this is week 3 of no power or water and it is not clear of when it will come back on.
Please pray for the people of Venezuela. They are in desperate need of a savior and a mighty powerful God to come through and rescue them. Please pray against oppression, injustice, and for the country to be restored to the beautiful land it once was!
February 2019- Humanitarian aid is attempted to be delivered to Venezuela by the U.S and Canada. President Nicolas Maduro refused to accept the aid and sent troops to every border to prevent the trucks from getting through. There are reports of some trucks getting through and being set on fire before it reaches the people of Venezuela.
March 2019- The main Guri water power plant in Venezuela goes out. This plan supplied over 80% of the country's power. Due to years of lack of maintenance, lack of engineers, and the capital to restore the plant, it is unclear of when it will be back up and running.
This creates a major blackout for most of the country along with lack of water as well. Hospitals are in the dark, food spoils in refrigerators, people are not able to go to the shower or bathroom. There is a great unrest and looting across the country.
Currently this is week 3 of no power or water and it is not clear of when it will come back on.
Please pray for the people of Venezuela. They are in desperate need of a savior and a mighty powerful God to come through and rescue them. Please pray against oppression, injustice, and for the country to be restored to the beautiful land it once was!
a. https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/book/venezuela-1980s-1990s-and-beyond
b. http://origins.osu.edu/article/roots-venezuelas-failing-state
c. http://www.tellerreport.com/news/--self-appointed-interim-president-venezuela-recognized-by-several-countries-.SyzlwDIXN.html
