LAWAC Venezuela 3/13/19

On Wednesday, March 13th, USC Professor Gerardo Munck spoke to an audience at Los Angeles World Affairs Council Headquarters about the current crisis in Venezuela. To quote the overview: "Once Latin America’s richest economy, Venezuela is now home to an economic and humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. Civil unrest, hyperinflation, food shortages and lack of medical supplies highlight the need for intervention from the international community."

 Here are some of my major take-aways from the event. 

In Venezuela, the military is in charge of all distribution of food. As of now, they're grappling with 1 million percent inflation; it's projected to reach 10 million by next year. Many members of the military personnel are corrupt and involved in domestic and international drug trade. Though Guiado is supported by the United States and other dominant, liberal world powers, Maduro has been able to retain his reign; his military hasn't abandoned him yet. Since 2014, 12,500 people, including a majority of young people, have been arrested in connection with protests/protesting. 250 people have been killed in protests during the Maduro era. According to Munck, mass protests are enough to weaken a government, but it takes the defection of elites to topple it over. Over the past few weeks, up to 70% of Venezuela (at one time) was left without power for an extended period of time. As of today, American Airlines has suspended flights to Venezuela "amidst unrest." 

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