The political and economic crisis in Venezuela has led to extreme food shortages. The shortages and related inflation were caused in part by Maduro's tight controls on imports entering Venezuela after oil prices fell dramatically. The results are staggering: about 75% of Veneuelans have lost weight and 90% of Venezuelans say they don't have enough money to afford food, according to the Associated Press. The opposition-led National Assembly has declared a food emergency, but the view of the new, Constituent Assembly established by Maduro's decree is unknown.
Since the government is blocking most humanitarian aid, do you think it's possible for the opposition and government to work together to provide food for Venezuelans? If so, how?
What can we do to learn from the current situation in Venezuela? How can this be avoided in the future?
I do not believe that it is possible, currently, for the opposition and government to work together to provide food for Venezuelans. However, foreign governments, such as in Colombia, as well as international NGOs could play a role in this crisis.
One lesson that I believe we can learn from Venezuela is the importance of economic stability (from perhaps a market-based economy rather than via socialism). Not only food shortages have occurred but also a lack of medical care and a rise in crime throughout the country.
As many do, I agree that the crisis in Venezuela stems from the government and how they have run the country; mainly, the socialism they have implemented. As we've seen in many other countries (Brazil is a good example), socialism can ravage a country, particularly the economy. I see this happening in Venezuela at the moment, and this is why many are too poor to afford food. I think other countries definitely need to step in to assist, as Rachna said, but Venezuela needs to be changing the way they run their country for a long-term solution.
That's a great point that you make, Cassidy. How do you believe that the country can best change from within itself?