In the 1970s Venezuela was one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America, but shortly after the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in 2013, economic conditions in the country took a turn for the worse. As oil prices collapsed and Chavez's economic policies became unsustainable, Venezuelans faced food shortages, long lines for basic necessities, and some even turned to looting.
Almost five years since then, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Chavez's successor, Nicolás Maduro, has failed to make meaningful reforms, and instead has consolidated power to try and contain the social unrest. In December 2017 alone, the currency rose by 87%, hitting hyperinflation levels and making paychecks lose their value before citizens can make it to the supermarket. Protests have often been met with violent crackdowns by government authorities. Now other countries in the region are evaluating what they can and should do to alleviate the economic conditions in the country.
When Rory Carroll was The Guardian's Latin America correspondent and based in Caracas, he witnessed the first protests and documented the worsening conditions. Hear him speak about the origins of the unrest in Venezuela and what's next for the country and the region in 2018.
SPEAKER:
Rory CarrollUS West Coast Bureau Chief, The Guardian
show less
Almost five years since then, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Chavez's successor, Nicolás Maduro, has failed to make meaningful reforms, and instead has consolidated power to try and contain the social unrest. In December 2017 alone, the currency rose by 87%, hitting hyperinflation levels and making paychecks lose their value before citizens can make it to the supermarket. Protests have often been met with violent crackdowns by government authorities. Now other countries in the region are evaluating what they can and should do to alleviate the economic conditions in the country.
When Rory Carroll was The Guardian's Latin America correspondent and based in Caracas, he witnessed the first protests and documented the worsening conditions. Hear him speak about the origins of the unrest in Venezuela and what's next for the country and the region in 2018.
SPEAKER:
Rory CarrollUS West Coast Bureau Chief, The Guardian
In the 1970s Venezuela was one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America, but shortly after the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in 2013, economic conditions in the country took a turn for the worse. As oil prices collapsed and Chavez's economic policies became unsustainable, Venezuelans faced food shortages, long lines for basic necessities, and some even turned to looting.
Almost five years since then, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Chavez's successor, Nicolás Maduro, has failed to make meaningful reforms, and instead has consolidated power to try and contain the social unrest. In December 2017 alone, the currency rose by 87%, hitting hyperinflation levels and making paychecks lose their value before citizens can make it to the supermarket. Protests have often been met with violent crackdowns by government authorities. Now other countries in the region are evaluating what they can and should do to alleviate the economic conditions in the country.
When Rory Carroll was The Guardian's Latin America correspondent and based in Caracas, he witnessed the first protests and documented the worsening conditions. Hear him speak about the origins of the unrest in Venezuela and what's next for the country and the region in 2018.
SPEAKER:
Rory CarrollUS West Coast Bureau Chief, The Guardian
read more
Almost five years since then, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Chavez's successor, Nicolás Maduro, has failed to make meaningful reforms, and instead has consolidated power to try and contain the social unrest. In December 2017 alone, the currency rose by 87%, hitting hyperinflation levels and making paychecks lose their value before citizens can make it to the supermarket. Protests have often been met with violent crackdowns by government authorities. Now other countries in the region are evaluating what they can and should do to alleviate the economic conditions in the country.
When Rory Carroll was The Guardian's Latin America correspondent and based in Caracas, he witnessed the first protests and documented the worsening conditions. Hear him speak about the origins of the unrest in Venezuela and what's next for the country and the region in 2018.
SPEAKER:
Rory CarrollUS West Coast Bureau Chief, The Guardian
show less
Date/Times:
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