Hope Fades as Venezuela’s Crisis Grows Increasingly Intractable

The political and humanitarian crises that have sent Venezuela into a death spiral for the past several years has now spilled over into neighboring countries and become a flashpoint in international affairs. But a protracted fight for control of the country, if civil war does break out, will only mean additional suffering for its citizens. Learn more when you subscribe to World Politics Review (WPR).

There is no end in sight to the political and humanitarian crises that have overwhelmed Venezuela and spilled over into neighboring countries for the past several years. And a protracted fight for control of the country, if civil war does break out, will only mean additional suffering for its citizens, who are already living in the most dire conditions outside of a warzone in recent memory.

Even if the political stalemate is broken, there are no easy solutions for fixing the country’s economy, which was too dependent on oil and collapsed as global crude prices fell. But President Nicolas Maduro has shown more interest in consolidating his grip on power than making needed structural changes. The result has been growing shortages of food and basic supplies, widespread power outages and alarming rates of malnutrition.

A demonstrator wearing a gas mask and carrying a shield calls for others to join him in confronting Venezuelan National Guardsmen blocking the entry of U.S.-supplied humanitarian aid, La Parada, Colombia, Feb. 25, 2019 (AP photo by Fernando Vergara).

Opposition leader Juan Guaido’s attempt to overthrow Maduro’s government earlier this year with the backing of the United States appears to have backfired. Instead of seizing power, Guaido appears to have hardened political divisions within the country, resulting in an impasse. Meanwhile, Washington’s public attempts to help bring down Maduro’s socialist administration have pushed the Venezuelan leader to look to strengthen his alliances with Russia and China.

The internal crisis has spilled out across South America as millions of Venezuelans have now fled the country in search of food and jobs. The exodus has fueled xenophobia and even violence against Venezuelans seeking refuge in neighboring countries. It has also stretched the capacity of regional governments and humanitarian organizations as they attempt to provide aid to Venezuelans fanned out across the region.

WPR has covered Venezuela in detail and continues to examine key questions about what will happen next. Will Washington abandon Guaido and shift its tactics to dislodge Maduro? As the crisis deepens, will the Maduro regime remain unified or begin to fracture internally? Will public opinion in neighboring countries harden government policy toward Venezuelan refugees? Below are some of the highlights of WPR’s coverage.