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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Is Venezuela becoming a dictatorship?

    Venezuela may have the world's largest oil reserves, but it's a nation in trouble… economically and politically. Is a populist promise to rescue democracy turning out to be a prelude to dictatorship?

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    By Warren Olney • Apr 4, 2017 • 52m Listen

    Photo: Opposition supporters hold placards depicting Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro reading: "No more dictatorship. Out Maduro" and "No more dictatorship", during a rally against Maduro's government in Caracas, Venezuela April 1, 2017. (Christian Veron/Reuters)

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 1:24

      Gas attack in Syria kills dozens, including children

      On Friday, the Trump Administration said regime change in Syria was no longer a US objective.  But today, it's blaming President Assad for a chemical weapons attack that killed at least 58 people, including many children.

      Read the story
      7 min
    2. 8:00

      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.

      Read the story
      34 min
    3. 41:59

      Uncovering a secret meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel

      Erik Prince was the founder of Blackwater, a security firm that became a symbol of US abuses in Iraq; several Blackwater guards were convicted of killing civilians. Prince is also the brother of Betsy DeVos, President Trump's Secretary of Education.

      Read the story
      10 min
    • 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'

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

      Luke Vander Ploeg

      Producer, 'To the Point'

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 1:247 min

      Gas attack in Syria kills dozens, including children

    2. 8:0034 min

      Are Venezuela's troubles the legacy of populism?

    3. 41:5910 min

      Uncovering a secret meeting to establish Trump-Putin back channel

    Back to To the Point