Evan Roeschen, Sophomore
Throughout all of human history the one event that will trigger change for centuries to come and effect everyone alive remains the same. The idea of change and reshaping a nation's future is in the minds of anyone who aspires to become a figure of historical focus. Revolutions are the crossing points in the history of every nation, where the will of the government and the people are tested. Throughout history rebellions have reshaped our world. Just some include: The American Revolution, French Revolution, Mexican War for Independence, and Russian Revolution. Every failed or successful revolution brings in a new era of change, hope, and prosperity yet also brings new challenges. The idea of revolution is the one thing in all of humanity's existence that has been and will remain consistent. Currently, the curtain of revolution is hanging over the nation of Venezuela.
To understand the situation brewing in Venezuela it is important to first understand the history that lead the country to a crossroads. In the final years of the 20th century following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Venezuela’s diplomatic position took a massive hit. Its largest trade partner was gone, its voice in the international community weakend and imports reduced substantially. But one piece of the Cold War the country maintained was the shared ideology both countries shared, which was socialism. Socialism’s rise to popularity in Venezuela began in the early 1970’s with Hugo Chavez leading the nation towards change. Following his death in 2013 his successor Nicolas Maduro took the reigns and continued on his legacy. Since his rise to power the nation has been on the brink of civil war and under the surface the country faces multiple problems that threaten to tear the nation apart inside out.
At the forefront of the many issues facing the nation the healthcare system has become one of the most damaged sectors in recent years. It is becoming more apparent that medical supplies are running dry and people are desperate. Since 2017, the Red Cross has stationed makeshift hospitals near the border in Colombia and Ecuador. The Venezuelan people have to walk across the borders to retrieve basic medicines since their money has virtually vanished into thin air. On top of this medical crisis, food shortages have rocked the country. Stores have hardly any shelves filled and the little supplies they have are increasing in cost. This is a direct result of the nations hyper inflation which is comparable to the Weimar Republic during the Great Depression. Since 2016, the national GDP has fallen over 42% and jobs in all sectors have experienced mutiny since they are not receiving minimum wage let alone enough to maintain their families. This drop is worse then what the Soviet Union experienced during its collapse in 1991; their GDP fell 37%. On top of this, the people have become disconnected with the current government accusing them of betraying the people and leading them into the crises they now face. Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador have thousands of Venezuelans who have fled the country. South America faces a migration crisis and since 2016 3.4 million Venezuelans migrants have fled their home. Over two months of non stop anti-government protests have lead to the deaths of over 40 people and the death toll shows no signs of stopping. The only word that explains the situation is in Venezuela is apocalyptic.
On January 23, 2019, Juan Guaido declared himself interim President declaring a direct challenge to the president Nicolas Maduro. This indirect declaration of a political civil war didn't stop in South America, the turmoil engulfed the world. Over 20 countries recognize Guaido as Venezuela’s new president. These countries include: Brazil, The United States, Colombia, Japan, South Korea and France. The nations that oppose this and support Maduro are: Russia, China, South Africa, Bolivia, Turkey and Iran. As of now, over 65 countries back Gaudio and 50 still support Maduro. Along with the complete global split in the United Nations over the escalating political crisis some are seeing a similarity to a conflict that ended not long ago; the Cold War. For the first time since the 1990’s the world is divided into hemispheres of power opposing one another. What's horrifying is the Venezuelan upheaval is dividing the world into the same blocks from the Cold War Era: capitalism vs. communism.
Fears ever since January 23 have not boiled down do to the recent speech US President Donald Trump gave on February 17th addressing the situation in Venezuela. This very well could have been the trigger for the recent announcement from Bernie Sanders running for the White House. For the second time in history, the political rivalry that ignited the Cold War threatens to reclaim the world again. The question of socialism vs capitalism has not been settled ever since the October 1917 during the Russian Revolution. Over a century later the world is once again facing a historic revolution in Venezuela. One key difference is the people are rising to overthrow the socialist government rather then install one. This is very much history turned on its head and what ends the growing divide in the country is up to interpretation. What has become clear is the people of Venezuela are facing a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. Lack of food, oil, jobs, medicine, and a government cracking down on its people are the factors attributing to the internal collapse of a country once rich and powerful.
Those loyal to Maudro accuse the United States of staging a national coup against his administration. Meanwhile, those who support Guaido welcome any foreign assistance, citing it as necessary. The question of weather socialism and communism is effective has been the topic of heated debate in the west mainly in America and Latin America. Regardless of opinion or fact one thing that everyone knows to be true is this: The world has not been on brink of a global crisis ever since the 1960’s when the United States and USSR threatened nuclear war. Nukes aren't needed, however since the spark in Venezuela has been ignited this issue is being revisited. Now, the world watches and waits to see the results of what transpires. The results could change the course of human history, just like the Russian Revolution did over a century ago.
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