VENEZUELA

Venezuela is a Latin America country located on the north of Brazil and to the west of Colombia which it borders. Their population approximation is of about 28 million people. It’s capital name is Carracas and is currently divided in twenty-three states, with one capital district. It’s name is originally derived from little Venice due to the housing near the lakes that previously  took place. Since the 20th century and on 1953 it was officially named Republica de  Venezuela.

Venezuela as many Central and South Americans countries was colonized by the Spanish during the 16th century. Before the colonization of the European country, Venezuela was home to many native Indians who were prone on hunting and fishing. Eventually, Spanish agriculturists began colonizing the land with encomiendas—a kind of grant—giving by the crown of Spain. It’s new circumstances, numerous changes began to take place including the social class hierarchy. Creoles, were on the top of power being descendants of Europeans, mestizos were seen as inferior of the latter as they were descendants from European and Indian lineages, and mulattoes who were of Indian ancestry and hold no economical, social or political power.

Colonization gradually became an issue and Venezuela was lead to Independence. Leaders such as Francisco de Miranda and Simon Bolivar were key to the eventual success of the revolution against Spanish control. Bolivar was in due course triumphant and began acting as President of Gran Colombia. Finally, Venezuela followed the independence footsteps on 1829.

Currently, Venezuela is home to a great amount of mestizos and mulattoes mestizos from European, African and Indian descent. Due to its industrial need of skilled workers it has in the past, not so long ago encourage non-Hispanic immigration. The country in majority practices Roman Catholicism although there is other religions that are followed along with Native Indians traditional religions. Spanish is the primary language spoken distinctive with colloquialisms, nonetheless there’s around 23 different Indian languages widely spoken and English is use as a business language.

Presently, the country faces a humanitarian emergency that has caused lack of resources such as clean water, food and healthcare. The main responsible of such situation seem to be Venezuela own government as the Nations Humans Right Council (HRC) has found it guilty of numerous atrocities against its citizens such as extrajudicial executions, disappearances, and persecution of opponents. As a result, many people have fled the county in search for a better standard of living. The country concerns are still persistent as the Maduro government keeps holding control over the nations and elections are difficult to take place.

VENEZUELA: Oppression and Resistance

McCoy, Jennifer L., Lieuwen, Edwin , Heckel, Heather D. and Martz,

John D.. "Venezuela". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/place/Venezuela. Accessed 29 March 2021.]

“World Report 2021: Rights Trends in Venezuela.” Human Rights Watch, 13 Jan. 2021, www.hrw.org/world-report/2021/country-chapters/venezuela.

Maria Sanchez