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.
June 23rd 2008South America » Venezuela » Llanos » San Fernando
Consistently described to me as ´The Heart of Venezuela´. Of course the two folk who said that was a tour guide/tout and a ranch hand who lived there, so they might be more than a little biased ... 23 photos[full story]
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