Just 25 years ago the people of Venezuela were the healthiest and wealthiest in Latin America. But they fell for promises of “free health care” and government benefits and voted for socialism.
Now hundreds of thousands have died of starvation and disease. Women and young girls prostitute themselves for pennies. Men die fighting with knives over their positions in bread lines.
The local environment has been devastated, as almost all game birds and animals have been killed for food.
The Wall Street Journal reports that 2.3 million Venezuelans have now fled to surrounding countries, where they face resentment and occasional exploitation and violence.
One fleeing Venezuelan is quoted saying he would rather be beaten by Brazilians than die starving in Venezuela.
