The+Dynamics+of+Caracas,+Venezuela

//Sofia Webster//

Caracas, Venezuela is a uniquely diverse city. It plays many different roles for the country, including prestige center, economic foundation, and cultural hub. Located on the North Eastern coast of South America, it is a lowland region in the Caribbean. Though there are many different aspects of this magnetic city, there are three distinct components that are especially interesting- the appallingly high amount of violence in Caraquenian youth, the abundance of oil exported, and the president’s adoption of Bolivarianismo into his regime.
 * Intoduction**

Out of the [|6 million people] living in Caracas,[|16,000 people were murdered] in 2009. This stunningly high number is four times as high as the civilian death rate in Baghdad in 2009. A high number of both the victims and the perpetrators are young individuals from ages 15-24, creating an age group of violence. In this age group, there is a predominate population of street children. These young adolescents are separa ted from their families and communities of origin, taking to life on the streets. Despite contrary belief, these youngsters actually play an important economic role in their families. They most often are not abandoned children, but in fact leave the barrios to earn income of their own from the streets, ranging from legal activities such as shoe shining to illegal activities such as prostitution and thievery. However, the Venezuelan government is making efforts to change the staggering murder statistics. Recently, a new police was created called the Bolivarian National Police that aims to settle feuds through words and discussion, rather than through violent action.
 * Youth and Violence**

In 1999, the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez took office and began what is known as the Bolivarian Revolution. The goal of the revolution is to integrate Bolivarianism o into the life of Venezuela. Bolivarianismo is a movement that is based on, according to Chavez, the ideals of Simon Bolivar for a society. These ideals are viewed in a socialist way, creating unique components that make up Bolivarianismo. These parts include: political participation at the grassroots level, equitable distribution of resources, and a large decrease in corruption. Later in his presidency, Chavez stated that he would instate 21st century socialism in Venezuela. By saying this, Chavez implied that his new socialism would be different than traditional socialism. This new socialism is different from the socialism practiced in Soviet Russia in that it is less state-centered and more pluralistic and democratic. There are some that argue that Venezuela does not actually have a 21st century socialism regime. Individuals who believe this believe that it is different to move away from capitalism and to adopt socialism. In 2011, it was released to the public that President Chavez was battling a pelvic cancer. This shocking news greatly decreased Chavez’s power and influence across all of Latin America. Citizens of Venezuela are skeptical of Chavez’s ability to effectively run the country. Chavez tried to challenge this view by holding a summit in which he convinced voters he is well enough to compete in 2012 elections. Chavez’s possible end could mean drastic changes in the Bolivarianismo Revolution currently taking place in Venezuela.
 * Bolivarianismo and 21st Century Socialism**

Since its discovery in the 1860s, oil has been a large foundation in the Venezuelan economy. When oil was first discovered, Venezuela was a low-income country. However, in a series of spikes in income, oil sales raised it into the middle-income category. The exportation of oil has greatly affected the people and culture of Venezuela. In 1918, commercial production of oil began in the country, creating a more stable and wealthy economy. The country was able to make numerous improvements in many different aspects. The government created medical and health institutions such as the Oficina de Sanidad Nacional (OSN) with the revenues from oil production. In Caracas, the construction of water and sewage made vast improvements in infant mortality rates in the early 1930s. Since the early 1930s, however, circumstances have changed. Since Hugo Chavez took office in 1999, the economy has been primarily based on the exportation of oil. A member of OPEC, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Venezuela has the highest number of oil reserves out of all the organization. Citizens of the country are divided in opinion of the exportation of oil. There are some who worry about the country’s staggering inflation rate of 27.5% in 2008, creating discord about the government’s decisions on how it spends revenues from oil exports. Additionally, former Venezuelan National Assembly economist argued in 2008 that income inequality had greatly increased and that Chavez’s social programs have not reaped impressive results. However, there are also some that argue that the country has greatly diversified its economy since 2005, adding such industries as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture to the economy base.
 * Exportation of Oil**


 * References**

Alvarez, Cesar J., and Stephanie Hanson. "Venezuela's Oil-Based Economy." //Council on Foreign Relations//. Council on Foreign Relations, 9 Feb. 2009. Web. 3 Dec. 2011. .

Devereux, Charlie. "Post-Cancer Chavez Looks to Revive Regional Clout at Summit."//Bloomberg Businessweek//. Bloomberg, 2 Dec. 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2011. .

Reuters. "Venezuela Now OPEC's Largest Oil Reserves Holder." //Cnbc.com//. CNBC, 19 July 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2011. .

Romero, Simon. "Venezuela, More Deadly Than Iraq, Wonders Why." //Nytimes.com//. The New York TImes, 10 Aug. 2010. Web. Nov. 2011. .

Bruce, Iain. //The Real Venezuela: Making Socialism in the 21st Century//. London: Pluto, 2008. Print.

Marquez, Patricia C. //The Street IS My Home: Youth and Violence In Caracas//. Stanford: Stanford UP, 1999. Print.

Riley, James C. //Low Income, Social Growth, and Good Health: A History of Twelve Countries//. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California, 2008. Print.

Coronil, Fernando. //The Magical State: Nature, Money, and Modernity in Venezuela//. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1997. Print.