CARACAS – In January, Juan Guaido declared himself the president of Venezuela. Many in the international community, such as the United States and 50 other countries have formally backed his claim, and many citizens took to the streets to celebrate.
However, despite Guaido’s claim and support, president Nicolas Maduro refuses to let go of his dictator reign over the failed social state. Even as the U.S. imposed new sanctions and limited talks with the Maduro regime, the country is still under social and economic turmoil.
Hyperinflation, as well as a lack of food and basic medical supplies, has pushed the entire state into chaos every day. TownHall reported a steadily growing number of prostitutes to have basic groceries. Prostitution among children is climbing as well.
The New York Times reported hyperinflation is about to hit 10 million percent. This type of hyperinflation is unheard and has left retailers and local businesses making numerous trips to banks trying to deposit useless bills and coins.
It’s hard to imagine Venezuela was once Latin America’s wealthiest country not long ago. However, the poor leadership/policies of Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, has caused the country to fall to its knees and leave each citizen wondering how to survive.
Average Venezuelans are left struggling not knowing how to survive on their government rationed food, or when the next week-long power outage will occur. And this isn’t the end of their worries. Throughout the day and night, Venezuelans worry if gangsters will overrun their neighborhood.
Local criminals are feeling the strain as well. The AP reported bullets are a luxury in Venezuela, costing criminal $1 each. Losing or getting a fully loaded gun confiscated is like “…throwing away $800.”
An estimated three and a half million Venezuelans have left the country to seek a better life in neighboring countries like Columbia and Peru.
Despite the “grassroots” friendly image Maduro has shown the world via Twitter, numerous media outlets and locals confirmed that rallying and organizing against the regime is not welcome.
The revolutionary youth of the continent must build a powerful communication platform that allows them to organize, take social networks, the streets, and advance in the conquest of political power to make the transformations needed by the Great Homeland. pic.twitter.com/QZ2fc4EpxH
— Nicolás Maduro (@maduro_en) May 26, 2019
Locals can be thrown in jail for organizing against Maduro without any date on when he or she will be released.
Marissa Martinez is a political contributor for Accuracy in Media. She is the former political director to Massachusetts Governor’s re-election campaign, alumna of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and political consultant to PACs. Follow her AIM border stories, @MarissaAlisa
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