Diego Ore reports that “Maduro’s critics say Venezuela’s economic troubles are man-made,” So the Maduro government is claiming they are caused by extraterrestrials? I thought the dispute was over which people have caused the problems (government or private businesses and opposition). Further down Ore clarifies that “The government, though, blames opposition leaders and unscrupulous businessmen – encouraged by the United States and foreign media – for attacking the economy via hoarding, smuggling, price-gouging and provoking lines.” Ah so actually the Maduro government is also claiming that the problems are “man-made” (if you pardon me repeating Ore’s sexist usage). Ore’s wording suggests (perhaps intentionally) that Maduro’s claims are wild conspiracy theories – equivalent to accusing extraterrestrials. Small details Ore leaves out: In 2002/2003, the Venezuelan business community and opposition inflicted the worst recession since 1980 on Venezuela and installed the head of its largest business federation as dictator after a briefly successful coup. The opposition’s highest profile leaders (Capriles and Leopoldo Lopez) both participated in the coup. |
Percentages are calculated using IMF data
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