Lessons from Venezuela: How Corruption and Populism Destroyed a Nation

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Hello dear reader, welcome to my blog.

Today, I will be discussing a topic centered around a brief history. Venezuela is a country rich in history of all kinds. If we review the last 25 years, we can recognize the enormous changes the country has undergone.

Since 1999, we all know the vast financial, political, and social problems the nation has faced. The political leaders we’ve had have truly been a disaster.

It all began precisely when the country, through democratic elections, decided to shift its politics and elected who we believed was the hope for change and prosperity—a way to escape the corruption and financial problems the country was facing.

This “solution” was the rebellious military officer Hugo Chávez Frías. The insurgent presented himself at the time as the logical option, and perhaps most of the population saw him as the answer to the nation’s problems.

I confess that, at the time, I too believed Chávez was the solution for Venezuela.

Initially, that is. Over time, we realized he was simply a power-hungry military man, a resentful individual who failed to advance in life and turned his frustrations into a thirst for power.

After his failed coup attempt, he decided to run as a democratic presidential candidate and was elected.

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The problem was that after the pardon absolving him of all his actions—a political mistake by former President Rafael Caldera—he was freed from jail, spread his wings, and began implementing his so-called “21st-century socialism.”

We all know these models are obsolete and do not work today.

It has been proven globally, time and again, that such systems only bring misery, pain, and chaos to people.

In recent years, Venezuela has suffered the largest economic plunder and corruption in all of Latin America.

It’s incredible how quality of life has deteriorated due to the self-interest of politicians who have looted—and continue to loot—the country’s resources.

These individuals have seized control of every resource and institution in the nation: legal systems, food distribution, healthcare, and public services.

The level of theft is staggering. Healthcare, for instance, is so degraded that anyone visiting a public hospital must bring their own supplies—gauze, needles, bandages—because there is nothing available.

Corrupt officials, appointed by political parties to roles in hospitals, municipalities, and government offices, steal everything: chairs, office supplies, computers, materials.

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The corruption exists at every level of state-owned enterprises.

Our mistake was allowing this to progress, believing the solution would come from another country or a group of military saviors intervening magically. The solution lies in our own hands, not in outsiders.

Historically, we must remember the lesson that these leaders promise but never deliver.

We must work to ensure our people become more rational and learn from past mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Choosing corrupt individuals who prioritize personal gain over the nation’s well-being is an error we must avoid.

Populism and totalitarianism are not paths to progress.

This is the story of Venezuela’s 25-year struggle that I wanted to share.

We are enduring this process and hope it ends well, so that each of us can regain the quality of life we once had—when Venezuela was a prosperous nation, and its citizens were whole, thriving, and happy.