all 10 comments

[–]magnora7[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

I wonder why Colombia is the top choice? Physical proximity seems part of it, but Guyana doesn't have many at all.

Also interesting about the Venezuelans going back to the motherland of Spain. Hah. That'd be like an American moving to England, language is the same but a bit different, original colonizer country, etc.

[–]roc 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Because it's closest. Their other neighbours have large jungles on the border.

[–]magnora7[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

[–]fred_red_beans 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I think a large reason people are leaving is due to the economic situation: Trump's Sanctions Have Cost Venezuela $6B Since August 2017

[–]Optimus85 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Not sure how accurate or credible this article is but I always thought of Chavez as a man of the people for the people and not a volatile-tempered dictator: https://theconversation.com/how-todays-crisis-in-venezuela-was-created-by-hugo-chavezs-revolutionary-plan-61474

[–]magnora7[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I think Chavez was Ok, but it's all falling apart under Maduro

[–]worm 7 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

On the contrary, I think that it was Chavez who created the scenario we see today, with Maduro being nothing more than a clueless dolt who exacerbated an already-volatile situation.

By failing to diversity sources of income while simultaneously spending far beyond the means of his government, Chavez ensured that an inevitable fall in oil prices would devastate Venezuela. By the time of his death, the cracks were already showing in the facade of Venezuelan wealth, and only a profoundly stupid man would have taken up the leadership afterwards to face the impending doom.

Certainly, Maduro has not resolved the financial crisis of his country, but by the time he came into power an economic crisis was already all but inevitable.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I also recall Chavez had many populist measures, namely redistribution of land. That land went to people who in many cases had no experience or means to use it effectively, thus diminishing productivity and a policy of controlling prices. Later, the consequences of such policies were labeled "The Maduro diet"

[–]HibikiBlack 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Even when Chavez was still alive and the oil prices were at 100$ + it was already hard finding things like milk and sugar. He wasted the oil boom by making himself and his family rich.

Chavez boosted the whole time about being a Castro loving communist Magnora...

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

It has really become an utopia.