Background: Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: an embattled president, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
April 1st 2008South America » Venezuela » Insular » Isla Margarita From the great city of Quito we flew on March 20th through Bogota, without getting abducted by anyone interesting, and landed in Caracas, the crime capital of the world according to some. Managed to g ... 40 photos[full story]
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