Where Venezuela Went Wrong

You could write a 500 page epic story over where Venezuela went wrong, but I'll try to limit this to three central causes:

1.  In 1989 to 1993, there were some woeful economic downfalls, with some folks ending up dead in the chaos.  The two coups in 1992 by Hugo Chavez....connected to the economic period.  Chavez failed in the coups (six to eight months apart).  But the damage was started at this point.  Confidence in democracy was a problem, and corruption was s national issue.

2.  In 1999, Hugo Chavez arrives.  Chavez thinks he's a wise at government, economics, commerce, banking, etc.  He declines any and all advice....taking mostly advice from the inner circle.  Redistribution of wealth and ownership became his central theme.  Literally every single bit of wealth that did exist....got siphoned off and redistributed.   In 2013.....Hugo passes away.  Some folks had this idea that the country would have some coup, and somehow find it's path back to stability.  They were wrong.

3.  In 2013, Nicolás Maduro arrives, via an election, and the Chavez era continues with more redistribution.  The chief item Maduro's resume that suggested where things were going to go?  For one year of his life....he was a bus driver.

The correction situation today?  Well....there's no more wealth to redistribute.  Anyone who had money left....moved it beyond the border.  Stores are mostly empty.  People were reported in 2018 to have lost a minimum of 10 pounds over the year because there's simply nothing left to eat.  It took thirty years, but it's pretty much wrapped up.....they spent everyone's cash.