Narrator: Ms. Smith’s class has just read an article about Venezuela featured in the world news section of a Houston-based newspaper. As they have learned, economic, social and political issues are plaguing the South American country. Let’s listen as 5 students—Felicia, Brandon, Monique, Tammy, Cindy and Kenisha—discuss what surprised them.
Kenisha: That article really surprised me!
Felicia: Really? What surprised you the most?
Kenisha: It surprised me that Venezuela is experiencing so many problems. Inflation is high, wages are low, there are gas, food and medicine shortages—people are even clashing with police and protesting the government daily! I wonder how long the protests will last.
Cindy: Me too, Kenisha. What I found most surprising is that Venezuelans are struggling to feed their families and the food shortages have resulted in citizens fighting over basic food items such as flour and pasta. This surprises me because I could never imagine having to fight over flour!
Felicia: The gas shortages surprised me the most as Venezuela has the world’s largest known oil reserves—more than Saudi Arabia! This makes me think of a news story I saw some time ago about the Venezuelan-run oil company, PDVSA. According to the news story, Venezuela’s is not producing much oil and the United States imposed sanctions in 2019—refusing to export diluents that PDVSA uses to process oil.
Brandon: The increase in violent crime and rising unemployment surprised me the most. According to the article that we read, power outages have left many people in Venezuela in the dark, too. I wonder what is causing the electricity to fail.
Monique: I think what surprised me the most is that many Venezuelans want the president, Nicolas Maduro, to resign. They are blaming him for the country’s economic problems and feel that he is abusing his power.
Tammy: Wait—I remember the article stating that President Maduro has even refused humanitarian aid from other countries in the past. I’m wondering why he would deny help from other nations?
Felicia: I don’t know but it sounds like the citizens of Venezuela are angry.
Brandon: It surely does. I think –
Ms. Smith: If I could please get your attention in 3… 2…and… 1. Thank you class. Now that you have had time to discuss what surprised you, let’s share out..
Narrator: As the students share their ideas and wond rings as a class, there is one question that remains: What would you do?
1 answer
Economic Issues:
High inflation rates resulting in the devaluation of currency and skyrocketing prices for basic goods.
Severe shortages of essential items such as food, medicine, and gas, leading to citizens engaging in fights over basic supplies.
Increasing unemployment rates, further exacerbating the economic crisis and pushing more families into poverty.
Social Issues:
Humanitarian crises sparked by food and medicine shortages, leading to widespread suffering and desperate measures by citizens to survive.
Daily protests against the government, with citizens clashing with police as a sign of their frustration and demand for change.
Rising violent crime rates linked to desperation and lack of basic needs, creating an unsafe environment for families and communities.
Political Issues:
Widespread discontent with President Nicolas Maduro, as many Venezuelans blame him for the country's dire economic situation and call for his resignation.
Refusal of humanitarian aid from other countries by the Maduro administration, raising questions about the government’s willingness to accept outside help.
Imposition of international sanctions by the United States, particularly targeting the oil sector and contributing to the country’s economic struggles.
1 answer