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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Are Venezuela's troubles the legacy of populism?

Twenty years ago, the late Hugo Chavez promised to save democracy in Venezuela. Today, Venezuela is moving toward a dictatorship, with the opposition divided against authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. Late last year there were massive street protests, and this weekend the Supreme Court stripped the legislature of its power.

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By Warren Olney • Apr 4, 2017 • 1 min read

Twenty years ago, the late Hugo Chavez promised to save democracy in Venezuela. Today, Venezuela is moving toward a dictatorship, with the opposition divided against authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro. Late last year there were massive street protests, and this weekend the Supreme Court stripped the legislature of its power. When the rest of the world took notice, that ruling was mostly reversed -- but economic depression continues, and the government refuses food or medical aid. We hear what life is like in the nation with the world’s largest oil reserves -- and hear a debate about how it got that way.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • KCRW placeholder

    Sáša Woodruff

    Producer, 'To the Point'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Yael Even Or

    Producer, 'Press Play'

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    Luke Vander Ploeg

    Producer, 'To the Point'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Andrew Rosati

    Bloomberg

  • KCRW placeholder

    Daniel Lansberg-Rodríguez

    Northwestern University / Foreign Policy magazine

  • KCRW placeholder

    Mark Weisbrot

    Center for Economic and Policy Research

    NewsNationalPolitics
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