“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity”
Nelson Mandela
Venezuelan Humanitarian Crisis
For many years now, Venezuela has been facing a persistent humanitarian crisis mainly due to inflation, crime rates, and poverty which are just a few. Since the rise of “current” president Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela has been infiltrated with many humanitarian abuses which include: the right to no torture, no unfair detainment, and the right to democracy among many more.
How Did it All Start?
Hugo Chavez was elected president in 1999, which followed with 14 years of presidency and unfair elections. Chavez was able to manipulate the public, and more specifically the lower class by providing housing, food, and more. These solutions can be classified as band-aid solutions, and are only short term. Humanitarian violations were also not nearly as abundant as they are seen today. As Chavez died in 2013, Nicolas Maduro (who is Colombian, and not classified for the job) was Chavez’s successor therefore being left in charge of Venezuela. Elections were held at the end of the year, but once again like his predecessor, elections were rigged and he was once again president. This eventually in 2014 led to the economic downfall of the country from a plunge in oil prices, loss of medicine and common goods, and a substantial increase in crime making Caracas, Venezuela (capital) the most dangerous city in the world. This crisis now has expanded causing for the immigration of millions to neighboring countries, innocent deaths of thousands including children, and the outright violation of all human rights.
Economic Downfall
Venezuela is stocked with one of the worlds largest oil reserves, which is what used to make it South Americas richest country. Oil prices fell drastically in 2014 and continued to plummet, it was recorded the oil prices were lower than .01 dollars per gallon (basically nothing). The government also never decided to make policy changes according to the low oil prices they were faced with, which simply complicated the situation.
Opposing Views
“Chavistas”
What are known as “Chavistas” are the supporters of the previous president Hugo Chavez, and still supporting Nicolas Maduro. Chavez, as stated earlier in the blog, was able to provide short term solutions by giving the poor housing and food. He was able to get his initial voters making it the majority by making false promises, and illusions. A lot of these supporters today have changed sides, because the short term solutions were expiring. A great majority now a day calls for Maduro’s resignation, and to step down from power.
Opposition
The people who opposed Chavez’s and Maduro’s regime, are supported by what is known as the opposition. The opposition has been fighting against the Chavez regime for many years, now recently being led by Juan Guido who is now the interim president. Recently Guaido took hold of three of the countries diplomatic properties in the United States, pushing for the removal of Maduro.
How to Help
There are many ways in which one can contribute and aid with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. Many sights online in which one is able to donate, provide aid and relief to those in Venezuela. One can also find someone who is active in these relief programs and ask them for advice on how to help, or go to them for donations. Spreading awareness of this issue and other issues worldwide is also a great way to help, which can lead to many more benefits.
Donating Sights: https://support.crs.org/donate/crisis-venezuela http://allforvenezuela.com/ https://www.cuatroporvenezuela.org/ https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/where-we-work/latin-america/venezuela
Human Rights Report 