Pity Venezuelans

"The figures that we expect for 2014-16 would be devastating: a contraction of the economy of 11.7 percent, accumulated inflation of 600 percent, a currency that will lose 89 percent of its value and real wages that will lose an accumulated 47 percent."
Barclays Venezuela economic assessment

A sample bank note with the face of President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and the word “devaluated.” Credit Jorge Silva/Reuters

"Venezuelans are starting to prioritize self-reliance over solidarity and individual survival over collective projects."
"The greatest threat appears to be a prolonged agony that brings Venezuela to the verge of social implosion."
Javier Ciurlizzsa, Program Director for Latin Ameria and the Caribbean, The International Crisis Group

"What's coming to Venezuela is chaos that will probably lead to barbarity and people looting."
Angel Garcia Banchs, Venezuelan economist

"The reconciliatory dialogue that is so deeply needed in Venezuela is not going to take place if political leaders, students, media groups and journalists are harassed and intimidated by the authorities."
United Nations human rights experts

The Association of Foreign News Correspondents in Venezuela and Reporters Without Borders have denounced "assault, abuse, harassment, threats and theft", committed by the government of Venezuela against reporters and other media workers. The UN Committee Against Torture insists that Venezuela immediately release "everyone who has been arbitrarily detained for exercising their right to express themselves and protest peacefully."

That would of necessity include Caracas metropolitan mayor Antonio Ledezma, imprisoned for involvement in a 'plot to overthrow the government'; along with opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez and San Cristobal Mayor Daniel Ceballos, incarcerated in Ramo Verde military prison for the crime of inciting violence during last year's violent protests; and Parliamentarian Maria Corina Machado, stripped of her parliamentary seat, accused of conspiring to murder the president.

The wife of Mayor Antonio Ledezma of Caracas, Mitzy. Mr. Ledezma was arrested on charges of plotting an American-backed coup. Credit Miguel Gutierrez/European Pressphoto Agency

And incidentally as well numerous student leaders themselves charged with various acts of sedition. Guilty, all, of crimes against the state. This is, after all, a dictatorship. And it is merely conducting itself as dictators are expected to. Critics of the government have a fairly good idea with whom they are dealing, and are obviously prepared to risk the penalties handed out.

Why should they be exempt from burdening society with their claims of corruption and ineptitude by government, after all?

Venezuela, as it happens, has been n a competition with Zimbabwe to attain the distinction of representing the global economy with the highest inflation in the world, and what a surprise, Venezuela is the champion! Inflation is responsible for people hoarding, for a growing black-market economy. The shortages of food, drugs and basic goods are unfortunate facts of life in the country.

For lack of paper, newspapers have suspended or reduced print editions; transportation is disrupted for lack of spare parts, and unpaid bills force airlines to cut services. In a country dependent on its oil revenues for 95 percent of foreign income, government income has plunged; the central bank no longer publishes statistics; all indications are the country is in a severe financial state.

The overall collapse of the Venezuelan economy and its far-reaching impact on the lives of its people has led to a growing number of violent incidents. The violent protests where 43 people lost their lives last spring are on the verge of renewal. The Defense Ministry has adopted a resolution leading to Venezuela's armed forces empowerment to "avoid disorder", and to "reject all aggression it faces immediately and with necessary means".

Clearly, the government of this benighted country that the revolutionary socialism of Hugh Chavez has left in the capable hands of his successor is reaping the benefits of its Bolivarian revolution. The people, however, not so much.