View source for Venezuela

{{Short description|Country in South America}}
{{About|the country}}
{{Redirect|Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela|the period when it was known as the "Republic of Venezuela" from 1953 to 1999|Republic of Venezuela}}
{{Distinguish|Valenzuela (disambiguation){{!}}Valenzuela}}

{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
| common_name            = Venezuela
| native_name            = {{native name|es-VE|República Bolivariana de Venezuela}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Venezuela.svg<!--DO NOT REPLACE THE FLAG WITH THE PRE-CHAVEZ FLAG. THIS IS OFFICIAL FLAG—SEE TALK PAGE.-->
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Venezuela.svg<!-- DO NOT REPLACE THE STATE EMBLEM WITH THE PRE-CHAVEZ EMBLEM OR THE INCORRECT SVG FILE. THIS IS THE OFFICIAL EMBLEM OF VENEZUELA—SEE TALK PAGE. -->
| national_motto         = ''[[Dios y Federación]]''<br />("God and Federation")
| national_anthem        = {{native phrase|es|[[Gloria al Bravo Pueblo]]|nolink=yes}}<br />{{smaller|("Glory to the Brave People")}}<div style="padding-top:0.5em;">{{center|[[File:United_States_Navy_Band_-_Gloria_al_Bravo_Pueblo.ogg]]}}</div>
| image_map              = {{switcher|[[File:Venezuela Orthographic Map.svg|frameless]]|Location on the [[Western Hemisphere]] |[[File:Venezuela Administrative Divisions.jpg|frameless]]|Show region with labels}}
| map_caption            = Territory controlled by Venezuela shown in dark green; [[Guyana–Venezuela territorial dispute|territory claimed but not controlled]] shown in light green
| capital                = [[Caracas]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|10|28|50|N|66|54|13|W|type:city(3,200,000)_region:VE-A|display=inline}}
| largest_city           = [[Caracas]]
| official_languages     = [[Venezuelan Spanish|Spanish]]{{ref label|languages|b|none}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{unbulleted list|51.6% [[Mestizo Venezuelans|Mestizo]]|43.6% [[Venezuelans of European descent|White]]|3.6% [[Afro-Venezuelan|Black]]|1.2% other}}
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2011
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ine.gob.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/nacional.pdf |title=Resultado Básico del XIV Censo Nacional de Población y Vivienda 2011 (Mayo 2014) |page=29 |publisher= | website= ine.gov.ve |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805193838/http://www.ine.gob.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/nacional.pdf }}</ref>
| religion               = {{unbulleted list
|{{Tree list}}
*92.6% [[Christianity]]
**80.5% [[Catholic Church in Venezuela|Catholicism]]
**11.2% [[Protestantism]]
**0.9% other [[List of Christian denominations|Christian]]{{Tree list/end}}|5.5% [[Irreligion in Latin America|no religion]]||1.1% [[Maria Lionza|Spiritism]], [[Birongo]]|0.8% other}}
| religion_ref           = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=238c |title=National Profiles | access-date=13 October 2022 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013134940/https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=238c |url-status=live}}</ref>
| religion_year          = 2020
| demonym                = [[Venezuelans|Venezuelan]]
| government_type        = Federal [[presidential republic]] under an [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]]{{efn|Name=Authoritarian|Venezuela has been described as authoritarian by multiple sources.<ref name="Isidoro LosadaBitar Deeb2022" /><ref name="Corrales 2020 pp. 39–53">{{cite journal | last=Corrales | first=Javier |title=Authoritarian Survival: Why Maduro Hasn't Fallen | journal=Journal of Democracy | publisher=Project Muse | volume=31 | issue=3 | year=2020 | issn=1086-3214 | doi=10.1353/jod.2020.0044 | pages=39–53| s2cid=226738491}}</ref><ref name="The Path Toward Authoritarianism in Venezuela 2019 p.">{{citation | chapter=The Path Toward Authoritarianism in Venezuela | publisher=Oxford University Press |date=30 October 2019 | doi=10.1093/obo/9780199756223-0286 | page=|title=Political Science | isbn=978-0-19-975622-3 | doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Corrales 2022 p.">{{cite book | last=Corrales | first=J. |title=Autocracy Rising: How Venezuela Transitioned to Authoritarianism | publisher=Brookings Institution Press | series=G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series | year=2022 | isbn=978-0-8157-3807-7 | page=intro}}</ref><ref name="David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies 2022">{{cite web |title=Battling Authoritarian Regimes in Venezuela and Beyond: A Conversation with Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo López | website=David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies |date=25 April 2022 |url=https://drclas.harvard.edu/event/battling-authoritarian-regimes-venezuela-and-beyond-conversation-venezuelan-opposition | access-date=13 January 2023 |archive-date=13 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113141715/https://drclas.harvard.edu/event/battling-authoritarian-regimes-venezuela-and-beyond-conversation-venezuelan-opposition |url-status=live}}</ref>}} dictatorship{{efn|name=Dictatorship|Venezuela has been described as a dictatorship by multiple sources.<ref name="Turkewitz-2024a">{{Cite news |last=Turkewitz |first=Julie |date=30 July 2024 |title=What Happened to Venezuela's Democracy? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/world/americas/venezuela-election-maduro-chavez.html |access-date=2 August 2024 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240730091400/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/world/americas/venezuela-election-maduro-chavez.html|archive-date=30 July 2024|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Roy |first1=Diana |last2=Cheatham |first2=Amelia |date=31 July 2024 |title=Venezuela: The Rise and Fall of a Petrostate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/30/world/americas/venezuela-election-maduro-chavez.html |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=[[Council on Foreign Relations]] |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808084507/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/venezuela-crisis#chapter-title-0-1|archive-date=8 August 2024|url-status=live|quote=The reforms paved the way for Maduro to establish a dictatorship years after Chávez's death.}}</ref><ref name="Corrales">{{cite web |last1=Corrales |first1=Javier |title=Venezuela's Odd Transition to Dictatorship |url=http://www.americasquarterly.org/content/venezuelas-odd-transition-dictatorship |work=Americas Quarterly |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103221/http://www.americasquarterly.org/content/venezuelas-odd-transition-dictatorship |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brodzinsky |first1=Sibylla |date=21 October 2016 |title=Venezuelans warn of 'dictatorship' after officials block bid to recall Maduro |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/21/venezuela-president-maduro-recall-referendum |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |access-date=10 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209230102/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/21/venezuela-president-maduro-recall-referendum|archive-date=9 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Almagro: Maduro se transforma en dictador por negarles a venezolanos derecho a decidir su futuro |url=http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2016/08/23/almagro-maduro-se-transforma-en-dictador-por-negarle-a-venezolanos-derecho-a-decidir-su-futuro/#0 |work=CNN en Español |language=es |date=24 August 2016 |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220135042/http://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2016/08/23/almagro-maduro-se-transforma-en-dictador-por-negarle-a-venezolanos-derecho-a-decidir-su-futuro/|archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=reuters-maduro /><ref name=hrw-maduro /><ref name=wpo-maduro />}}
| leader_title1          = [[President of Venezuela|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Nicolás Maduro]]
| leader_title2          = [[Vice President of Venezuela|Vice President]]
| leader_name2           = [[Delcy Rodríguez]] <!--Please read discussion on talk page before editing-->
| legislature            = [[National Assembly of Venezuela|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Venezuelan War of Independence|Independence]] from [[Spain]]
| established_event1     = [[Venezuelan Declaration of Independence|Declared]]
| established_date1      = 5 July 1811
| established_event2     = {{nowrap|from [[Gran Colombia]]}}
| established_date2      = 13 January 1830
| established_event3     = Recognized
| established_date3      = 29 March 1845
| established_event4     = {{nowrap|[[Constitution of Venezuela|Current constitution]]}}
| established_date4      = 20 December 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Venezuela_2009.pdf?lang=en|title=Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)'s Constitution of 1999 with Amendments through 2009|website=constituteproject.org|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007022912/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Venezuela_2009.pdf?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_km2               = 916,445<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19649648|title=Venezuela country profile|date=4 December 2023 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=4 December 2023|archive-date=4 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204071944/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-19649648|url-status=live}}</ref>
| area_rank              = 32nd <!--Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]].-->
| area_sq_mi             = 353,841
| percent_water          = 3.2%{{ref label|area|d|none}}
| population_estimate    = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 30,518,260<ref name="ciawfb"/>
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_estimate_rank = 53rd
| population_density_km2 = 32
| population_density_sq_mi = 87.42
| population_density_rank = 184th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $223.984 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.VE">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=299,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (Venezuela) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108005627/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=299,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 77th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $8,397<ref name="IMFWEO.VE" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 133rd
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $108.511 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.VE" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 69th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $4,068<ref name="IMFWEO.VE" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 127th
| Gini                   = 44.8<!--Number only.-->
| Gini_year              = 2013
| Gini_change            = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite web |title=Income Gini coefficient |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/income-gini-coefficient |website= undp.org|publisher= [[United Nations Development Programme]] |access-date=21 September 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610232357/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html }}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI                    = 0.709 <!--Number only.-->
| HDI_year               = 2023<!--Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year.-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 121st
| currency               = [[Venezuelan bolívar]] (VED) (official) <br /> [[United States dollar]] (USD) (de facto recognized, unofficial)
| currency_code          = 
| time_zone              = [[Time in Venezuela|VET]]
| utc_offset             = &minus;04:00
| date_format            = dd/mm/yyyy ([[Common Era|CE]])
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[+58]]
| cctld                  = [[.ve]]
| footnote_a             = {{note label|name|a|none}} The "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" has been the full official title since the adoption of the [[Constitution of Venezuela|Constitution of 1999]], when the state was renamed in honor of [[Simón Bolívar]].
| footnote_b             = {{note label|languages|b|none}} The Constitution also recognizes all [[Indigenous languages of the Americas|indigenous languages]] spoken in the country.
| footnote_c             = {{note label|groups|c|none}} Some important subgroups include those of [[Spanish Venezuelan|Spanish]], [[Portuguese Venezuelan|Portuguese]], [[Italo-Venezuelans|Italian]], [[Indigenous peoples in Venezuela|Amerindian]], [[Afro-Venezuelan|African]], [[Arab Venezuelan|Arab]] and [[German Venezuelan|German]] descent.
| footnote_d             = {{note label|area|d|none}} Area totals include only Venezuelan-administered territory.
| footnote_e             = {{note label|currency|e|none}} On 1 October 2021, a new bolivar was introduced, the ''Bolívar digital'' (ISO 4217 code VED) worth 1,000,000 VES.
| recognized_regional_languages = {{collapsible list|titlestyle=background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;|title=[[Languages of Venezuela|26 languages]]|liststyle=border-top:1px solid #aaa;|bullets=on|[[Piapoco language|Piapoco]]|[[Baniwa of Içana|Baniwa]]|[[Arawak language|Locono]]|[[Wayuu language|Wayúu]]|[[Warao language|Warao]]|[[Pemon language|Pemón]]|[[Panare language|Panare]]|[[Ye'kuana language|Yek'uana]]|[[Yukpa language|Yukpa]]|[[Carib language|Carib]]|[[Kapóng language|Akawaio]]|[[Japreria language|Japrería]]|[[Mapoyo-Yabarana language|Mapoyo]]|[[Mapoyo-Yabarana language|Yawarana]]|[[Hodï language|Hodï]]|[[Puinave language|Puinave]]|[[Guahibo language|Jivi]]|[[Barí language|Barí]]|[[Arutani language|Uruak]]|[[Sapé language|Sapé]]|[[Yaruro language|Pumé]]|[[Piaroa language|Piaroa]]|[[Yanomamö language|Yanomamö]]|[[Sanumá language|Sanemá]]|[[Ninam language|Yanam]]|[[Nheengatu language|Yeral]]}}
}}

'''Venezuela''',{{efn|English: {{IPAc-en|ˌ|v|ɛ|n|ə|ˈ|z|w|eɪ|l|ə}} {{respell|VEN|ə|ZWAY|lə}}; {{IPA|es-419|beneˈswela|lang|Venezuela.ogg|small=no}}.}} officially the '''Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela''',{{efn|{{langx|es|link=no|República Bolivariana de Venezuela}}.}} is a country on the northern coast of [[South America]], consisting of a [[continent]]al landmass and many [[Federal Dependencies of Venezuela|islands and islet]]s in the [[Caribbean Sea]]. It comprises an area of {{Convert|916,445|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, and its population was estimated at 29 million in 2022.<ref name="ciawfb"/> The capital and largest urban agglomeration is the city of [[Caracas]]. The continental territory is bordered on the north by the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]], on the west by [[Colombia]], [[Brazil]] on the south, [[Trinidad and Tobago]] to the north-east and on the east by [[Guyana]]. Venezuela consists of [[States of Venezuela|23 states]], the [[Venezuelan Capital District|Capital District]], and [[Federal Dependencies of Venezuela|federal dependencies]] covering Venezuela's offshore islands. Venezuela is among the most urbanized countries in Latin America;<ref name="encartaSA">{{cite encyclopedia |url= http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574914_3/South_America.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421194631/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574914_3/South_America.html |archive-date=21 April 2007 |title=South America |access-date=13 March 2007 |encyclopedia= [[Encarta]]}}</ref><ref name="UNpopstats">{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wup1999/WUP99ANNEXTABLES.pdf |title=Annex tables |access-date=13 March 2007 |publisher=United Nations |website=World Urbanization Prospects: The 1999 Revision |archive-date=28 August 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030828135807/https://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wup1999/WUP99ANNEXTABLES.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> the vast majority of Venezuelans live in the cities of the north and in the capital.

The territory of Venezuela was [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|colonized by Spain]] in 1522, amid resistance from Indigenous peoples. In 1811, it became one of the first Spanish-American territories to [[First Republic of Venezuela|declare independence]] from the Spanish and to form part of the first federal Republic of Colombia ([[Gran Colombia]]). It separated as a full sovereign country in 1830. During the 19th century, Venezuela suffered political turmoil and autocracy, remaining dominated by regional [[caudillo|military dictators]] until the mid-20th century. From 1958, the country had a series of democratic governments, as an exception where most of the region was ruled by military dictatorships, and the period was characterized by economic prosperity.

Economic shocks in the [[1980s oil glut|1980s]] and 1990s led to major political crises and widespread social unrest, including the deadly [[Caracazo]] riots of 1989, [[1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts|two attempted coups in 1992]], and the [[Carlos Andrés Pérez#Impeachment|impeachment of a president]] for embezzlement of public funds charges in 1993. The collapse in confidence in the existing parties saw the [[1998 Venezuelan presidential election]], the catalyst for the [[Bolivarian Revolution]], which began with a [[1999 Constituent Assembly of Venezuela|1999 Constituent Assembly]], where a new [[Constitution of Venezuela]] was imposed. The government's [[populist]] [[social welfare]] policies were bolstered by soaring oil prices,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Legacy of Hugo Chavez and a Failing Venezuela |url= https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1696-the-legacy-of-hugo-chavez-and-a-failing-venezuela |website= publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu| publisher= [[Wharton School|Wharton Public Policy Initiative]], [[University of Pennsylvania]] |access-date=16 May 2020 |archive-date=24 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424152619/https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1696-the-legacy-of-hugo-chavez-and-a-failing-venezuela}}</ref> temporarily increasing social spending,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Smilde|first1=David|date=14 September 2017|title=Crime and Revolution in Venezuela|journal=[[NACLA Report on the Americas]]|volume=49|issue=3|pages=303–308 |s2cid=158528940 |doi= 10.1080/10714839.2017.1373956|issn=1071-4839|quote=Finally, it is important to realize that the reductions in poverty and inequality during the Chávez years were real, but somewhat superficial. While indicators of income and consumption showed clear progress, the harder-to-change characteristics of structural poverty and inequality, such as the quality of housing, neighborhoods, education, and employment, remained largely unchanged.}}</ref> and reducing [[economic inequality]] and poverty in the early years of the regime.<ref>{{Multiref2
| 1 = {{harvnb|Heritage|2002|pp=618–621}}.
| 2 = Voigt, Kevin (6 March 2013). [https://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/06/business/venezuela-chavez-oil-economy/ Chavez leaves Venezuelan economy more equal, less stable] . [[CNN]].com. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
| 3 = Beeton, Dan; Joe Sammut (6 December 2013). [http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/the-americas-blog/venezuela-leads-region-in-poverty-reduction-in-2012-eclac-says Venezuela Leads Region in Poverty Reduction in 2012, ECLAC Says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420124325/http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/the-americas-blog/venezuela-leads-region-in-poverty-reduction-in-2012-eclac-says |date=20 April 2015}}. [[Center for Economic and Policy Research]]. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
| 4 = [http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/venezuela/overview Venezuela Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829002114/http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/venezuela/overview |date=29 August 2018}}. The [[World Bank]]. Accessed 17 November 2014. "Economic growth and the redistribution of resources associated with these missions have led to an important decline in moderate poverty, from 50% in 1998 to about 30% in 2012. Likewise, inequality has decreased, reducing the Gini Index from 0.49 in 1998 to 0.39 in 2012, which is among the lowest in the region."
}}</ref> However, poverty began to rapidly increase in the 2010s.<ref name="UN" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nagel |first=Juan Cristóbal |date=4 June 2014 |title=Poverty Shoots Up in Venezuela |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/06/04/poverty-shoots-up-in-venezuela/ |access-date=10 July 2023 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US |archive-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320211345/http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/06/04/poverty-shoots-up-in-venezuela/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2013 Venezuelan presidential election]] was widely disputed leading to [[2013 Venezuelan presidential election protests|widespread protest]], which triggered another nationwide [[crisis in Venezuela|crisis]] that continues to this day.<ref>{{Cite news|script-title=ko:화폐경제 무너졌는데…최저임금 인상에 목매는 베네수엘라|last=남민우|first=기|date=2 May 2018|trans-title=The monetary economy collapsed... Venezuela clamors for minimum wage hike|work=朝鮮日報 ([[The Chosun Ilbo]])|via=chosun.com|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/05/02/2018050201490.html|access-date=22 May 2018|language=ko|quote=Venezuela's fall is considered to be mainly caused by the populist policy|archive-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912123524/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/05/02/2018050201490.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Venezuela is officially a [[Federalism|federal]] [[Presidential system|presidential republic]], but has experienced [[democratic backsliding]] under the [[Hugo Chávez|Chávez]] and [[Nicolás Maduro|Maduro]] administrations, shifting into an [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian state]].<ref name="Isidoro LosadaBitar Deeb2022">{{cite journal | last1 = Isidoro Losada | first1 = Ana María | last2 = Bitar Deeb | first2 = Rita |title = Introduction: Authoritarianism and Violence in Venezuela | journal = Bulletin of Latin American Research |date = January 2022 | volume = 41 | issue = 1 | pages = 102–104 | issn = 0261-3050 | eissn = 1470-9856 | doi = 10.1111/blar.13316 | pmid =  | s2cid = 246773739 |url = https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/33969 | access-date = 11 May 2023 |archive-date = 18 June 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230618004417/https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/33969 |url-status = live}}</ref> It [[International rankings of Venezuela|ranks]] poorly on international measurements of [[Media freedom in Venezuela|freedom of the press]], [[Human rights in Venezuela|civil liberties]], and control of [[Corruption in Venezuela|corruption]].<ref name="Human Rights Watch 2021">{{cite web |title=World Report 2022: Rights Trends in Venezuela |website=Human Rights Watch |date=10 December 2021 |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/venezuela |access-date=19 January 2023 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119134226/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/venezuela |url-status=live}}</ref> Venezuela is a [[developing country]], has the world's [[List of countries by proven oil reserves|largest known oil reserves]], and has been one of the world's leading [[oil exporter|exporters of oil]]. Previously, the country was an underdeveloped exporter of agricultural commodities such as coffee and cocoa, but oil quickly came to dominate exports and government revenues. Venezuela struggles with record [[Hyperinflation in Venezuela|hyperinflation]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rosati |first1=Andrew |title=Venezuela's 2018 Inflation to Hit 1.37 Million Percent, IMF Says |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-09/venezuela-s-2018-inflation-to-hit-1-37-million-percent-imf-says |access-date=9 October 2018 |work=[[Bloomberg.com]] |date=9 October 2018 |archive-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009132240/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-09/venezuela-s-2018-inflation-to-hit-1-37-million-percent-imf-says |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/venezuela-economy-idINKCN1MJ1YX|title=IMF sees Venezuela inflation at 10 million percent in 2019|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 October 2018|via=in.reuters.com|access-date=3 June 2019|archive-date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126135443/https://in.reuters.com/article/venezuela-economy-idINKCN1MJ1YX}}</ref> [[Shortages in Venezuela|shortages of basic goods]],<ref>{{*}}{{cite news|last1=Gillespie|first1=Patrick|date=12 April 2016|title=Venezuela: the land of 500% inflation|work=[[CNNMoney]]|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/12/news/economy/venezuela-imf-economy/|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119094705/http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/12/news/economy/venezuela-imf-economy/|url-status=live}}<br />{{*}}{{cite news|last1=Gillespie|first1=Patrick|date=12 December 2016|title=Venezuela shuts border with Colombia as cash crisis escalates|work=[[CNNMoney]]|access-date=17 January 2017|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/12/12/news/economy/venezuela-shuts-colombia-border-cash-crisis/|archive-date=17 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117065426/http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/12/news/economy/venezuela-shuts-colombia-border-cash-crisis/|url-status=live}}
<br />{{*}}{{cite news|last1=Rosati|first1=Andrew|date=11 January 2017|title=Venezuela's Economy Was the Worst Performing of 2016, IMF Estimates|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/goodbye-recession-hello-depression-venezuela-gdp-takes-10-hit|access-date=17 January 2017|work=[[Bloomberg.com]]|archive-date=17 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117070211/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/goodbye-recession-hello-depression-venezuela-gdp-takes-10-hit|url-status=live}}</ref> unemployment,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/noticias/daily-news/chamber-commerce-venezuelans-are-poverty_247647 |title=Chamber of Commerce: 80% of Venezuelans are in poverty|date=1 April 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016 |work=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404181203/http://www.eluniversal.com/noticias/daily-news/chamber-commerce-venezuelans-are-poverty_247647|archive-date=4 April 2016}}</ref> poverty,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/world/americas/nuevos-billetes-venezuela-new-banknotes.html|title=Venezuela Issues New Bank Notes Because of Hyperinflation|last1=Herrero|first1=Ana Vanessa|date=16 January 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=17 January 2017|last2=Malkin|first2=Elisabeth|archive-date=20 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220063111/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/world/americas/nuevos-billetes-venezuela-new-banknotes.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> disease, high child mortality, [[malnutrition]], [[Environmental issues in Venezuela|environmental issues]], severe crime, and widespread corruption. [[U.S. sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis|US sanctions]] and the seizure of Venezuelan assets overseas have cost the country $24–30 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ventura |first=Christophe |date=1 February 2025 |title=Venezuela's never-ending crisis |url=https://mondediplo.com/2025/02/10venezuela |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=Le Monde diplomatique |language=en}}</ref> These factors have precipitated the [[Venezuelan refugee crisis]] in which more than 7.9 million people had fled the country by May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venezuela situation |url=https://www.unhcr.org/emergencies/venezuela-situation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721054243/https://www.unhcr.org/emergencies/venezuela-situation |archive-date=21 July 2024 |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=UNHCR |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela |url=https://www.r4v.info/en/refugeeandmigrants |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240726145913/https://www.r4v.info/en/refugeeandmigrants |archive-date=26 July 2024 |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V)}}</ref> By 2017, Venezuela was declared to be in [[Default (finance)|default]] regarding debt payments by [[credit rating agency|credit rating agencies]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gillespie|first1=Patrick|title=Venezuela just defaulted, moving deeper into crisis|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/14/news/economy/venezuela-debt-default-sp/index.html|access-date=15 November 2017|work=[[CNNMoney]]|date=14 November 2017|archive-date=12 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112090238/https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/14/news/economy/venezuela-debt-default-sp/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela in 'selective default'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41982069|access-date=15 November 2017 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=14 November 2017|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330185012/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41982069|url-status=live}}</ref> The crisis in Venezuela has contributed to a rapidly deteriorating [[Human rights in Venezuela|human rights]] situation.

==Etymology==
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According to the most popular and accepted version, in 1499, an expedition led by [[Alonso de Ojeda]] visited the Venezuelan coast. The [[stilt houses]] in the area of [[Lake Maracaibo]] reminded the Italian navigator, [[Amerigo Vespucci]], of the city of [[Venice]], Italy, so he named the region ''Veneziola'', or "Little Venice".{{sfn|Massabié|2008|p=153}} The Spanish version of ''Veneziola'' is {{lang|es|Venezuela}}.{{sfn|Thomas|2005|p=189}}

[[Martín Fernández de Enciso]], a member of the Vespucci and Ojeda crew, gave a different account. In his work {{lang|es|[[Suma de Geographia|Summa de geografía]]}}, he states that the crew found [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous peoples]] who called themselves the ''Veneciuela.'' Thus, the name "Venezuela" may have evolved from the native word.<ref name="ICH_1958_386">{{cite book |year=1958 |title=Cuadernos Hispanoamericanos |publisher=Instituto de Cultura Hispánica (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional) |page=386 |language=es}}</ref>

Previously, the official name was {{lang|es|[[State of Venezuela|Estado de Venezuela]]}} (1830–1856), {{lang|es|República de Venezuela}} (1856–1864), {{lang|es|[[United States of Venezuela|Estados Unidos de Venezuela]]}} (1864–1953), and again {{lang|es|[[Republic of Venezuela|República de Venezuela]]}} (1953–1999).

== History ==
{{Main|History of Venezuela}}

===Pre-Columbian history===
{{multiple image
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| image1            = IdolosRoques.jpg
| caption1          = [[Cult image]] sculpted in ceramic, [[Los Roques Archipelago]]
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| caption2          = A [[petroglyph]] in the [[El Ávila National Park|Waraira Repano National Park]]
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Evidence exists of human habitation in the area now known as Venezuela from about 15,000 years ago. Tools have been found on the high [[fluvial terrace|riverine terrace]]s of the [[Pedregal River|Rio Pedregal]] in western Venezuela.{{sfn|Kipfer|2000|p=91}} [[Late Pleistocene]] hunting artifacts, including spear tips, have been found at a similar series of sites in northwestern Venezuela; according to [[radiocarbon dating]], these date from 13,000 to 7,000 BC.{{sfn|Kipfer|2000|p=172}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venezuela |url=https://samplecontents.library.ph/wikipedia/wp/v/Venezuela.htm |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=samplecontents.library.ph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Venezuela History, History of Venezuela, Origins of Venezuela, Incredible Venezuela {{!}} Traveltill.com |url=https://www.traveltill.com/destination/Venezuela/history.php |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=www.traveltill.com}}</ref>

It is unknown how many people lived in Venezuela before the Spanish conquest; it has been estimated at one million.{{sfn|Wunder|2003|p=130}} In addition to Indigenous peoples known today, the population included groups such as the [[Kalina people|Kalina]] (Caribs), [[Auaké people|Auaké]], [[Caquetio]], [[Mariche]], and [[Timoto–Cuica people|Timoto–Cuicas]]. The Timoto–Cuica culture was the most complex society in Pre-Columbian Venezuela, with pre-planned permanent villages, surrounded by irrigated, terraced fields.{{sfn|Mahoney|p=89}} Their houses were made of stone and wood with thatched roofs. They were peaceful and depended on growing crops. Regional crops included potatoes and [[ulluco]]s.<ref name=art>[http://en.amigosprecolombino.es/cultures/central-america-and-intermedia/venezuela "Venezuela".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904200841/http://en.amigosprecolombino.es/cultures/central-america-and-intermedia/venezuela |date=4 September 2011}} ''Friends of the Pre-Columbian Art Museum''. (retrieved 9 July 2011)</ref> They left behind art, particularly anthropomorphic ceramics, but no major monuments. They spun vegetable fibers to weave into textiles and mats for housing. They are credited with having invented the [[arepa]], a staple in [[Venezuelan cuisine]].{{sfn|Salas|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6-1QnKS6xG4C&pg=PA142 142]}}

After the conquest, the population dropped markedly, mainly through the spread of infectious diseases from Europe.{{sfn|Wunder|2003|p=130}} Two main north–south axes of pre-Columbian population were present, who cultivated maize in the west and [[manioc]] in the east.{{sfn|Wunder|2003|p=130}} Large parts of the ''[[llanos]]'' were cultivated through a combination of [[slash and burn]] and permanent settled agriculture.{{sfn|Wunder|2003|p=130}}

=== Colonization ===
{{Main|Spanish colonization of the Americas|German colonization of the Americas|Colonial Venezuela}}
[[File:Musterung-Welser-Armada.png|thumb|''The German [[Welser]] Armada exploring Venezuela'', German Welsers ruled Venezuela from 1528 to 1546, before it was retaken by the Spanish Empire. Painting of 1560 by Hieronymus Köler.]]
In 1498, during his third voyage to the Americas, [[Christopher Columbus]] sailed near the [[Orinoco Delta]] and landed in the [[Gulf of Paria]].{{sfn|Dickey|1892|p=103}} Amazed by the great offshore current of freshwater which deflected his course eastward, Columbus expressed in a letter to Isabella and Ferdinand that he must have reached Heaven on Earth (terrestrial paradise):<ref>Flint, Valerie I.J.. "Christopher Columbus". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 May. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus. Accessed 21 May 2025</ref>
{{blockquote|Great signs are these of the Terrestrial Paradise... for I have never read or heard of such a large quantity of fresh water being inside and in such close proximity to salt water; the very mild temperateness also corroborates this; and if the water of which I speak does not proceed from Paradise then it is an even greater marvel, because I do not believe such a large and deep river has ever been known to exist in this world.{{sfn|Zamora|1993|loc=Voyage to Paradise}}}}

[[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spain's colonization of mainland Venezuela]] started in 1522, establishing its first permanent South American settlement in the {{As of |2008 |alt=present-day}} city of [[Cumaná]].<ref>The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Cumaná". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2015, https://www.britannica.com/place/Cumana. Accessed 21 May 2025</ref>

==== German colonization ====
In the 16th century, the king of Spain granted a concession to the German [[Welser family]]. [[Klein-Venedig]]{{Refn|"Little Venice"; additionally the etymology of the name "Venezuela"}} became the most extensive initiative in the [[German colonization of the Americas]] from 1528 to 1546. The Welsers were bankers to the Habsburgs and financiers of [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], [[Holy Roman Emperor]], who was King of Spain and had borrowed heavily from them to pay bribes for his [[Imperial election, 1519|Imperial election]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cachero |first=Montserrat |title=The Court and the Jungle: Integrating Narratives of Privilege |url=https://www.academia.edu/24787883 |access-date=4 November 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405075103/https://www.academia.edu/24787883 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1528, Charles V granted the Welsers the right to explore, rule and colonize the territory, as well as to seek the mythical golden town of [[El Dorado]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulrich Zwack |first=Bayerischer Rundfunk |date=5 August 2015 |title=Albtraum von Eldorado: Als die Welser über Venezuela herrschten |url=https://www.br.de/radio/bayern2/sendungen/land-und-leute/schwaebisches-eldorado-welser-in-venezuela-zwack100.html |language=de |access-date=4 November 2022 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405031832/https://www.br.de/radio/bayern2/sendungen/land-und-leute/schwaebisches-eldorado-welser-in-venezuela-zwack100.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Routledge Library Editions: World Empires (2021). United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.</ref><ref>South American Explorer. (1979). Perù: South American Explorers, p.27. University of Texas.</ref> The first expedition was led by [[Ambrosius Ehinger]], who established [[Maracaibo]] in 1529. After the deaths of first Ehinger (1533), then [[Nikolaus Federmann]], and [[Georg von Speyer]] (1540), [[Philipp von Hutten]] persisted in exploring the interior. In absence of von Hutten from the capital of the province, the crown of Spain claimed the right to appoint a governor. 

On Hutten's return to the capital, [[Santa Ana de Coro]], in 1546, the Spanish governor [[Juan de Carvajal]] had Hutten and [[Bartholomeus VI. Welser]] executed. Subsequently, [[Emperor Charles V|Charles V]] revoked Welser's concession. The Welsers transported German miners to the colony, in addition to 4,000 African [[slaves]] to plant [[sugar cane]] plantations. Many German colonists died from tropical diseases, to which they had no [[Immunity (medical)|immunity]], or through wars with the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous inhabitants]].

=== Late 15th century to early 17th century ===
Native ''[[cacique]]s'' (leaders) such as [[Guaicaipuro]] ({{circa|1530–1568}}) and [[Tamanaco]] (died 1573) attempted to resist Spanish incursions, but the newcomers ultimately subdued them.<ref name="UNE">{{cite web |publisher=Universidad Nueva Esparta |url=http://www.une.edu.ve/hatillo/historia.htm |title=Alcaldía del Hatillo: Historia |access-date=10 March 2007 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428111205/http://www.une.edu.ve/hatillo/historia.htm |archive-date=28 April 2006}}</ref>

In the 16th century, during the Spanish colonization, indigenous peoples such as the [[Mariches]], themselves descendants of the Kalina, were converted to [[Roman Catholicism]]. Some resisting tribes or leaders are commemorated in place names, including Caracas, [[Chacao Municipality|Chacao]] and [[Los Teques]]. The early colonial settlements focused on the northern coast,{{sfn|Wunder|2003|p=130}} but in the mid-18th century, the Spanish pushed farther inland along the [[Orinoco River]]. Here, the [[Ye'kuana]] organized resistance in 1775–76.{{sfn|Gott|2005|p=203}}

Spain's eastern Venezuelan settlements were incorporated into [[New Andalusia Province]]. Administered by the [[Royal Audiencia of Santo Domingo]] from the early 16th century, most of Venezuela became part of the [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]] in the early 18th century, and was then reorganized as an autonomous [[Captaincy General of Venezuela|Captaincy General]] starting in 1777. Caracas, founded in the central coastal region in 1567, was well-placed to become a key location, being near the coastal port of [[La Guaira]] and in a valley, in a mountain range, providing defensive strength against [[pirate]]s and a more fertile and healthy climate.{{sfn|Ewell|1984|p=4}}

=== Independence and 19th century ===
{{Main|Venezuelan War of Independence}}
[[File:Simón Bolívar by Ricardo Acevedo Bernal.jpg|thumb|upright|''El Libertador'', [[Simón Bolívar]]]]

After unsuccessful uprisings, Venezuela, under the leadership of [[Francisco de Miranda]], a Venezuelan marshal who had fought in the [[American Revolution|American]] and [[French Revolution]]s, [[Venezuelan Declaration of Independence|declared independence]] as the [[First Republic of Venezuela]] on 5 July 1811.<ref>{{cite web |last=Minster |first=Christopher |url=http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/independenceinvenezuela/p/10april19venezuela.htm |title=April 19, 1810: Venezuela's Declaration of Independence |publisher=About |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=3 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203091911/http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/independenceinvenezuela/p/10april19venezuela.htm }}</ref> This began the [[Venezuelan War of Independence]]. A devastating [[1812 Caracas earthquake]], together with the rebellion of the Venezuelan ''[[llanero]]s'', helped bring down the republic.{{sfn|Chasteen|2001|p=103}} [[Simón Bolívar]], new leader of the independentist forces, launched his [[Admirable Campaign]] in 1813 from [[United Provinces of New Granada|New Granada]], retaking most of the territory and being proclaimed as ''El Libertador'' ("The Liberator"). A [[Second Republic of Venezuela]] was proclaimed on 7 August 1813, but lasted only a few months before being crushed by [[Royalist (Spanish American independence)|royalist]] caudillo [[José Tomás Boves]] and his personal army of ''llaneros''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Left |first=Sarah |title=Simon Bolivar |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/apr/16/netnotes.venezuela |website=The Guardian |date=16 April 2002 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016050958/http://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/apr/16/netnotes.venezuela |url-status=live}}</ref>

The end of the [[Peninsular War|French invasion]] of homeland Spain in 1814 allowed a large expeditionary force to come under general [[Pablo Morillo]], with the goal to regain the lost territory in Venezuela and New Granada. As the war reached a stalemate on 1817, Bolívar reestablished the [[Third Republic of Venezuela]] on the territory still controlled by the patriots, mainly in the [[Guayana Province|Guayana]] and [[Llanos]] regions. This republic was short-lived as only two years later, during the [[Congress of Angostura]] of 1819, the union of Venezuela with New Granada was decreed to form the Republic of Colombia.{{sfn|Gregory|1992|pp=89–90}} 

The war continued until full victory and sovereignty was attained after the [[Battle of Carabobo]] on 24 June 1821.{{sfn|Gregory|1992|pp=89–90}} On 24 July 1823, [[José Prudencio Padilla]] and [[Rafael Urdaneta]] helped seal Venezuelan independence with their victory in the [[Battle of Lake Maracaibo]].<ref name="ciawfb">{{cite web |title=Venezuela |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/venezuela/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=31 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531110017/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/venezuela/ |url-status=live}}</ref> New Granada's congress gave Bolívar control of the Granadian army; leading it, he liberated several countries and founded the Republic of Colombia ([[Gran Colombia]]).{{sfn|Gregory|1992|pp=89–90}}

[[File:19 de abril.jpg|thumb|''Revolution of 19 April 1810'', the beginning of Venezuela's independence, by [[Martín Tovar y Tovar]]|alt=]]
Sucre went on to liberate [[Ecuador]] and become the second president of [[Bolivia]]. Venezuela remained part of Gran Colombia until 1830, when a rebellion led by [[José Antonio Páez]] allowed the proclamation of a newly independent Venezuela, on 22 September;<ref>''Langer's Encyclopaedia of World History'', page 854.</ref> Páez became the first president of the new [[State of Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab55 |title=History of Venezuela |publisher=History World |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030852/http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab55 |url-status=live}}</ref> Between one-quarter and one-third of Venezuela's population was lost during these two decades of war (including about half the [[Venezuelans of European descent]]),<ref>{{cite book |last1=McFarlane |first1=Anthony |title=War and Independence In Spanish America |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-75772-3 |page=293 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rSNrAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA293 |access-date=18 February 2019 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032013/https://books.google.com/books?id=rSNrAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA293#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref> which by 1830, was estimated at 800,000.<ref name="Caudillismo">"[http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/5.htm Venezuela – The Century of Caudillismo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805013226/http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/5.htm |date=5 August 2011}}". [[Library of Congress Country Studies]].</ref> In the [[Flag of Venezuela]], the yellow stands for land wealth, the blue for the sea that separates Venezuela from Spain, and the red for the blood shed by the heroes of independence.<ref>{{cite news |title=200 años como símbolo de soberanía |publisher=Consulado General de Venezuela en Canarias |url=http://www.consuladodevenezuela.es/contenido.php?idNot=216 |access-date=30 November 2010 |language=es |archive-date=17 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917045840/http://consuladodevenezuela.es/contenido.php?idNot=216 }}</ref>

[[Slavery]] in Venezuela was abolished in 1854.<ref name="Caudillismo" /> Much of Venezuela's 19th-century history was characterized by political turmoil and dictatorial rule, including the Independence leader José Antonio Páez, who gained the presidency three times and served 11 years between 1830 and 1863. This culminated in the [[Federal War]] (1859–63). In the latter half of the century, [[Antonio Guzmán Blanco]], another ''caudillo'', served 13 years, between 1870 and 1887, with three other presidents interspersed.

[[File:Martin Tovar y Tovar 02.jpg|thumb|The signing of Venezuela's independence, by [[Martín Tovar y Tovar]]]]
In 1895, a longstanding dispute with Great Britain about the Essequibo territory, which Britain claimed as part of [[British Guiana]] and Venezuela saw as Venezuelan territory, erupted into the [[Venezuela Crisis of 1895]]. The dispute became a diplomatic crisis when Venezuela's lobbyist, [[William Lindsay Scruggs|William L. Scruggs]], sought to argue that British behavior over the issue violated the [[United States]]' [[Monroe Doctrine]] of 1823, and used his influence in Washington, D.C., to pursue the matter. Then, U.S. president [[Grover Cleveland]] adopted a broad interpretation of the doctrine that declared an American interest in any matter within the hemisphere.{{sfn|Zakaria|1999|pp=145–146}} Britain ultimately accepted arbitration, but in negotiations over its terms was able to persuade the U.S. on many details. A tribunal convened in Paris in 1898 to decide the issue and in 1899 awarded the bulk of the disputed territory to British Guiana.<ref name="Humphreys">{{cite journal |author-link=Robert Arthur Humphreys |author=Humphreys, R. A. |year=1966 |doi=10.2307/3678723 |title=Anglo-American Rivalries and the Venezuela Crisis of 1895. Presidential Address to the Royal Historical Society |journal=Transactions of the Royal Historical Society |volume=17 |pages=131–164|jstor=3678723 |s2cid=155581308 | issn = 0080-4401 }}</ref>

In 1899, [[Cipriano Castro]], assisted by his friend [[Juan Vicente Gómez]], seized power in Caracas. Castro defaulted on Venezuela's considerable foreign debts and declined to pay compensation to foreigners caught up in Venezuela's [[Venezuelan civil wars|civil wars]]. This led to the [[Venezuela Crisis of 1902–1903]], in which Britain, Germany and Italy imposed a naval blockade before international arbitration at the new [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] was agreed. In 1908, [[Dutch-Venezuela War|another dispute]] broke out with the Netherlands, which was resolved when Castro left for medical treatment in Germany and was promptly overthrown by [[Juan Vicente Gómez]] (1908–35).

=== 20th century ===
[[File:Rómulo Betancourt, 1961.jpg|thumb|[[Rómulo Betancourt]] (president; 1945–1948, 1959–1964), one of the major democratic leaders of Venezuela]]
The discovery of massive [[oil field|oil deposits]] in Lake Maracaibo during World War I<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-93/issue-23/in-this-issue/exploration/a-modern-look-at-the-petroleum-geology-of-the-maracaibo-basin-venezuela.html|last1=Stauffer|first1=Karl W.|last2=Croft|first2=Gregory D.|title=A modern look at the petroleum geology of the Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela|journal=Oil & Gas Journal|date=1995|volume=93|issue=23|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003230431/http://www.ogj.com/articles/print/volume-93/issue-23/in-this-issue/exploration/a-modern-look-at-the-petroleum-geology-of-the-maracaibo-basin-venezuela.html|url-status=live}}</ref> proved pivotal for Venezuela and transformed its economy from a heavy dependence on agricultural exports. It prompted a boom that lasted into the 1980s; by 1935, Venezuela's per capita gross domestic product was Latin America's highest.{{sfn|Crow|1980|pp=616–617}} Gómez benefited handsomely from this, as corruption thrived, but at the same time, the new source of income helped him centralize the state and develop its authority.

Gómez remained the most powerful man in Venezuela until his death in 1935. The ''gomecista'' dictatorship (1935–1945) system largely continued under [[Eleazar López Contreras]], but from 1941, under [[Isaías Medina Angarita]], was relaxed. Angarita granted a range of reforms, including the legalization of all political parties. After World War II, immigration from Southern Europe and poorer Latin American countries markedly diversified Venezuelan society.<ref>{{cite journal | pmc=2931359 | year=2010 |last1=Durand |first1=J. |last2=Massey |first2=D. S. |title=New World Orders: Continuities and Changes in Latin American Migration | journal=The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science | volume=630 | issue=1 | pages=20–52 | doi=10.1177/0002716210368102 | pmid=20814591}}</ref>

In 1945, a civilian-military coup overthrew Medina Angarita and ushered in [[El Trienio Adeco|a period of democratic rule]] (1945–1948) under the mass membership party [[Democratic Action (Venezuela)|Democratic Action]], initially under [[Rómulo Betancourt]], until [[Rómulo Gallegos]] won the [[1947 Venezuelan presidential election]] (the first free and fair elections in Venezuela).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Da Silva P|first=José Luis|date=2013|title=Venezuelan Democracy in the 20th Century. The Struggle Between the Military and the Non–Military|journal=Politeja|volume=10|issue=24|pages=49–68|doi=10.12797/politeja.10.2013.24.05|s2cid=155380658|issn=1733-6716|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Davilaa|first=Luis Ricardo|date=April 2000|title=The rise and fall and rise of populism in Venezuela|journal=Bulletin of Latin American Research|volume=19|issue=2|pages=223–238|doi=10.1111/j.1470-9856.2000.tb00101.x|issn=0261-3050}}</ref> Gallegos governed until overthrown by a military junta led by the triumvirate {{Interlanguage link|Luis Felipe Llovera Páez|es|Luis Llovera Páez}}, [[Marcos Pérez Jiménez]], and Gallegos' Defense Minister, [[Carlos Delgado Chalbaud]], in the [[1948 Venezuelan coup d'état|1948 Venezuelan ''coup d'état'']].

[[File:Carlos Andrés Pérez.jpg|thumb|upright|President [[Carlos Andrés Pérez]] was [[impeached]] on corruption charges in 1993.]]
The most powerful man in the military ''junta'' (1948–58) was Pérez Jiménez and he was suspected of being behind the death of Chalbaud, who died in a bungled kidnapping in 1950. When the junta unexpectedly lost the [[1952 Venezuelan presidential election|1952 presidential election]], it ignored the results and Jiménez was installed as president.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Jiménez was forced out on 23 January 1958.<ref name="ciawfb" /> In an effort to consolidate a young democracy, the three major political parties ([[Acción Democrática]] (AD), [[COPEI]] and [[Unión Republicana Democrática]] (URD), with the notable exception of the [[Communist Party of Venezuela]]), signed the [[Puntofijo Pact]] power-sharing agreement. AD and COPEI dominated the political landscape for four decades.

During the presidencies of [[Rómulo Betancourt]] (1959–64, his second term) and [[Raúl Leoni]] (1964–69), substantial guerilla movements occurred. Most laid down their arms under [[Rafael Caldera]]'s first presidency (1969–74). Caldera had won the [[1968 Venezuelan presidential election|1968 election]] for COPEI, the first time a party other than Democratic Action took the presidency through a democratic election. The new democratic order had its antagonists. Betancourt [[Assassination attempt of Rómulo Betancourt|suffered an attack]] planned by the Dominican dictator [[Rafael Trujillo]] in 1960, and the leftists excluded from the Pact initiated an insurgency by organizing themselves into the Armed Forces of National Liberation, sponsored by the Communist Party and [[Fidel Castro]]. In 1962 they tried to destabilize the military corps, with failed revolts. Betancourt promoted a foreign policy, the [[Betancourt Doctrine]], in which he only recognized elected governments by popular vote.{{Request quotation|date=April 2018}}
[[File:Caracas Sabana Grande 1973.jpg|thumb|The [[Sabana Grande, Caracas|Sabana Grande]] district, [[Caracas]], 1973]]

The [[1973 Venezuelan presidential election]] of [[Carlos Andrés Pérez]] coincided with an [[1973 oil crisis|oil crisis]], in which Venezuela's income exploded as [[oil prices]] soared; oil industries were nationalized in 1976. This led to massive increases in public spending, but also increases in external debts, until the collapse of oil prices during the 1980s crippled the economy. As the government started to devalue the currency in 1983 to face its financial obligations, standards of living fell dramatically. Failed economic policies and increasing corruption in government led to rising poverty and crime, worsening social indicators, and increased political instability.<ref name="Schuyler_2001_10">{{cite journal |last=Schuyler |first=George W. |journal=The Policy Studies Organization |title=Health and Neoliberalism: Venezuela and Cuba |year=2001 |page=10}}</ref>

In the 1980s, the Presidential Commission for State Reform (COPRE) emerged as a mechanism of political innovation. Venezuela decentralized its political system and diversified its economy, reducing the size of the state. COPRE operated as an innovation mechanism, also by incorporating issues into the political agenda, that were excluded from public deliberation by the main actors of the democratic system. The most discussed topics were incorporated into the public agenda: decentralization, political participation, municipalization, judicial order reforms and the role of the state in a new economic strategy. The social reality made the changes difficult to apply.<ref name=":32">{{cite journal|last=Conde|first=Edith Mabel Cuñarro|date=2004|title=Venezuela 1984–1999: 15 años de historia (La Comisión Presidencial para la Reforma del Estado (COPRE) como mecanismo de innovación política)|url=http://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cuestiones/article/view/14388|journal=Cuestiones Políticas|language=es|volume=20|issn=0798-1406|access-date=8 April 2018|number=33|archive-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043215/http://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cuestiones/article/view/14388|url-status=live}}</ref>

Economic crises in the 1980s and 1990s led to a political crisis. Hundreds of people were killed by security forces and the military in the ''[[Caracazo]]'' riots of 1989, during the second presidential term of Carlos Andrés Pérez (1989–1993) and after the implementation of economic austerity measures.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rivero|first=Mirtha|author-link=Mirtha Rivero|title=La Rebelión de los Náufragos|publisher=Editorial Alfa|year=2010|isbn=978-980-354-295-5|location=Caracas, Venezuela|page=109|chapter=10}}</ref> [[Hugo Chávez]], who in 1982 had promised to depose the bipartisanship governments, used the growing anger at economic austerity measures to justify a [[1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts|coup attempt in February 1992]];<ref name="Marquez124">{{harvsp|Marquez|2018|p=124}}</ref><ref name="BBCprofile" /> a [[November 1992 Venezuelan coup attempt|second coup d'état attempt occurred in November]].<ref name="BBCprofile">{{cite news |title=Profile: Hugo Chavez |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1925236.stm |access-date=5 June 2007 |work=BBC News |date=5 December 2002 |quote=Mr Chavez first came to prominence in February 1992 when he led an attempt to overthrow the government of President Carlos Andres Perez amid growing anger at economic austerity measures. |archive-date=18 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518212055/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1925236.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> 

President Carlos Andrés Pérez (re-elected in 1988) was impeached under embezzlement charges in 1993, leading to the interim presidency of [[Ramón José Velásquez]] (1993–1994). Coup leader Chávez [[Rafael Caldera#Amnesty to the 1992 coup participants|was pardoned in March 1994]] by president Rafael Caldera (1994–1999, his second term), with a clean slate and his political rights reinstated, allowing Chávez to win and maintain the presidency continuously from 1999 until his death in 2013. Chávez won the elections of 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2012 and the presidential referendum of 2004.

=== Bolivarian government under Chávez: 1999–2013 ===
{{main|Bolivarian Revolution|History of Venezuela (1999–present)}}

[[File:Chavez Kirch Lula141597.jpg|thumb|[[Hugo Chávez]] with fellow leftist South American presidents [[Néstor Kirchner]] of Argentina and [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Lula da Silva]] of Brazil]]
A collapse in confidence in the existing parties led to [[Hugo Chávez]] being elected president in 1998 and the subsequent launch of a "Bolivarian Revolution", beginning with a 1999 [[constituent assembly]] to write a new Constitution. The Revolution refers to a [[left-wing populism]] [[social movement]] and political process led by Chávez, who founded the [[Fifth Republic Movement]] in 1997 and the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] in 2007. The "Bolivarian Revolution" is named after [[Simón Bolívar]]. 

According to Chávez and other supporters, the "Bolivarian Revolution" sought to build a mass movement to implement [[Bolivarianism]]—[[popular democracy]], economic independence, equitable distribution of revenues, and an end to political corruption. They interpret Bolívar's ideas from a [[populism|populist]] perspective, using [[Socialism|socialist]] rhetoric. This led to formation of the '''Fifth Republic of Venezuela''', commonly known as the '''Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela''', that continues to the present day. Venezuela has been considered the Bolivarian Republic following the adoption of the new [[Constitution of Venezuela|Constitution of 1999]]. 

Following Chávez's election, Venezuela developed into a [[dominant-party system]], dominated by the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]]. In April 2002, Chávez was briefly ousted from power in the [[2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt]] following popular demonstrations by his opponents,<ref>The coup installed chamber of commerce leader [[Pedro Carmona]].{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1927678.stm |title=Profile: Pedro Carmona |date=27 May 2002 |work=BBC News |access-date=6 February 2009 |archive-date=23 September 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130923162952/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1927678.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> but Chavez returned after two days as a result of demonstrations by poor Chávez supporters and actions by the military.{{sfn|Cannon|2004|p=295}}{{sfn|López Maya|2005|p=16}} Chávez remained in power after an all-out national strike that lasted [[Venezuelan general strike of 2002–2003|from December 2002 to February 2003]], including a strike/lockout in the state oil company [[PDVSA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/oilandgas/Minister:_2002-2003_strike_cost_PDVSA_US*12,8bn|title=Minister: 2002–2003 strike cost PDVSA US$12.8bn |work=BNamericas|date=27 July 2005|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=4 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004084930/https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/oilandgas/Minister:_2002-2003_strike_cost_PDVSA_US*12,8bn|url-status=live}}</ref> 

[[Capital flight]] before and during the strike led to the reimposition of [[Foreign exchange controls|currency control]]s. In the subsequent decade, the government was forced into currency devaluations.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/02/2013296490217208.html "Venezuela devalues currency against US dollar"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014041330/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2013/02/2013296490217208.html |date=14 October 2017}}. Aljazeera.com (9 February 2013). Retrieved on 20 April 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/399ce5c6-751f-11e2-a9f3-00144feabdc0.html "The bill for years of mismanagement is coming due"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411190302/https://www.ft.com/content/399ce5c6-751f-11e2-a9f3-00144feabdc0 |date=11 April 2020}}. Ft.com (12 February 2013). Retrieved on 20 April 2013.</ref><ref name="Economist">[https://www.economist.com/news/americas/21572202-return-hugo-ch%C3%A1vez-his-country-suggests-one-way-or-another-end-venezuelas "Venezuela The homecoming"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701181513/http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21572202-return-hugo-ch%C3%A1vez-his-country-suggests-one-way-or-another-end-venezuelas |date=1 July 2017}}. Economist.com (23 February 2013). Retrieved on 20 April 2013.</ref><ref name="Businessweek">Farzad, Roben. (15 February 2013) [https://web.archive.org/web/20130218115931/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-15/venezuelas-double-edged-bolivar-devaluation "Venezuela's Double-Edged Devaluation"]. Businessweek.com. Retrieved on 20 April 2013.</ref> These devaluations did not improve the situation{{Vague|date=August 2024}} of the people who rely on imported products or locally produced products that depend on imported inputs, while dollar-denominated oil sales account for the majority of exports.<ref>Mander, Benedict. (10 February 2013) [http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/12e9f32e-739e-11e2-9e92-00144feabdc0.html "Venezuelan devaluation sparks panic"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411190248/https://www.ft.com/content/12e9f32e-739e-11e2-9e92-00144feabdc0 |date=11 April 2020}}. Ft.com. Retrieved on 20 April 2013.</ref> The profits of the oil industry were lost to "social engineering" and corruption, instead of investments needed to maintain oil production.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-07/how-venezuela-came-away-with-no-dollars-from-sales-andes-credit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009111954/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-07/how-venezuela-came-away-with-no-dollars-from-sales-andes-credit.html |archive-date=9 October 2014 |title=How Venezuela Got No Dollars From $65 Billion Bond Sales |last1=Boyd |first1=Sebastian |date=7 October 2014 |work=[[Bloomberg.com]] |access-date=8 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Chávez survived further political tests, including an [[2004 Venezuelan recall referendum|August 2004 recall referendum]]. He was elected for another term [[2006 Venezuelan presidential election|in December 2006]] and for a third term in October 2012. However, he was never sworn in due to medical complications; he died in March 2013.<ref>Neuman, William (5 March 2013) [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/world/americas/as-chavez-worsens-venezuela-expels-two-us-diplomats.html?hp&_r=0 "Chávez Dies, Leaving Sharp Divisions in Venezuela"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129031900/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/world/americas/hugo-chavez-of-venezuela-dies.html |date=29 November 2023}}. New York Times.</ref>

=== Bolivarian government under Maduro: 2013–present ===
{{main|Presidency of Nicolás Maduro}}
{{further|Crisis in Venezuela}}
The presidential election that took place in April 2013, was the first since Chávez took office in 1999 in which his name did not appear on the ballot.<ref>[http://venezuelablog.tumblr.com/ Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407045343/http://venezuelablog.tumblr.com/ |date=7 April 2018}}. Venezuelablog.tumblr.com. Retrieved on 20 April 2013.</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=October 2022}}
Under the Bolivarian government, Venezuela went from being one of the richest countries in Latin America to one of the poorest.<ref name="RICHtoRAGS">{{cite web|title=From riches to rags: Venezuela's economic crisis: The Big Picture|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8d91vdR9g|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=2 March 2018|date=14 February 2018|archive-date=1 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301213406/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8d91vdR9g|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Economic policy of the Hugo Chávez administration|Hugo Chávez's socioeconomic policies]] of relying on oil sales and importing goods resulted in large amounts of debt, no change to [[corruption in Venezuela]] and culminated into a [[crisis in Venezuela]].<ref name="RICHtoRAGS" /> As a result, the [[Venezuelan refugee crisis]], the largest emigration of people in Latin America's history,<ref name="WPfeb18">{{cite news|last1=Board|first1=Editorial|title=Opinion {{!}} Latin-America's worst-ever refugee crisis: Venezuelans|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/the-collapse-in-venezuela-is-creating-a-refugee-crisis/2018/02/23/68b85c7e-1807-11e8-8b08-027a6ccb38eb_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224013027/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/the-collapse-in-venezuela-is-creating-a-refugee-crisis/2018/02/23/68b85c7e-1807-11e8-8b08-027a6ccb38eb_story.html|archive-date=24 February 2018|access-date=25 February 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=23 February 2018|quote=This human outflow, ... is the largest displacement of people in Latin American history}}</ref> occurred, with over 7 million – about 20% of the country's population – emigrating.<ref name=LPgracias>{{cite news|title=Gracias a las malas políticas del Gobierno bolivariano, más de 4 millones de venezolanos se han ido del país (encuesta)|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/site/2018/01/19/gracias-a-las-malas-politicas-del-gobierno-bolivariano-mas-de-4-millones-de-venezolanos-se-han-ido-del-pais-encuesta/|access-date=20 January 2018|work=[[La Patilla]]|date=19 January 2018|language=es-ES|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141723/https://www.lapatilla.com/site/2018/01/19/gracias-a-las-malas-politicas-del-gobierno-bolivariano-mas-de-4-millones-de-venezolanos-se-han-ido-del-pais-encuesta/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WSJfeb18">{{cite news|last1=Forero|first1=Juan|last2=Protti|first2=Tommaso|title=Venezuela's Misery Fuels Migration on Epic Scale|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuelas-misery-fuels-migration-on-epic-scale-1518517800|access-date=13 February 2018|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=13 February 2018|archive-date=15 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115223031/https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuelas-misery-fuels-migration-on-epic-scale-1518517800|url-status=live}}</ref> Chávez initiated [[Bolivarian missions]], programs aimed at helping the poor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coha.org/hugo-chavez-and-the-future-of-venezuela/|title=Hugo Chávez and the Future of Venezuela|date=4 December 2011|access-date=26 October 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029095823/https://www.coha.org/hugo-chavez-and-the-future-of-venezuela/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Dilma Rousseff receiving a Hugo Chávez picture from Nicolás Maduro.jpg|thumb|[[Nicolás Maduro]] with Brazilian President [[Dilma Rousseff]], 9 May 2013]]
Poverty began to increase into the 2010s.<ref name="UN">Charlie Devereux & Raymond Colitt. 7 March 2013. {{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-07/venezuelans-quality-of-life-improved-in-un-index-under-chavez.html |title=Venezuelans' Quality of Life Improved in UN Index Under Chavez |work=[[Bloomberg.com]] |access-date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107050220/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-07/venezuelans-quality-of-life-improved-in-un-index-under-chavez.html |archive-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=unfit}}</ref> [[Nicolás Maduro]] was picked by Chavez as his successor, appointing him vice president in 2013.<ref name="Economist" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/venezuela-chavez-maduro/factbox-chavezs-chosen-successor-nicolas-maduro-idINDEE8B805U20121209|title=FACTBOX – Chavez's chosen successor Nicolas Maduro|first=Andrew Cawthorne and Mario|last=Naranjo|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 December 2012|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=4 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004035445/https://uk.reuters.com/article/venezuela-chavez-maduro/factbox-chavezs-chosen-successor-nicolas-maduro-idINDEE8B805U20121209}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/15/nicolas-maduro-wins-venezuelan-election|title=Nicolás Maduro narrowly wins Venezuelan presidential election|first=Virginia Lopez Jonathan|last=Watts|newspaper=The Guardian|date=15 April 2013|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-date=21 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121085107/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/15/nicolas-maduro-wins-venezuelan-election|url-status=live}}</ref>

Maduro has been [[president of Venezuela]] since 14 April 2013, when he won the [[2013 Venezuelan presidential election|presidential election]] after Chavez' death, with 51% of the vote, against [[Henrique Capriles]] on 49%. The [[Democratic Unity Roundtable]] contested Maduro's election as fraud, but an audit of 56% of the vote showed no discrepancies,<ref name="BBC12June">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22866490|title=Venezuela audit confirms Nicolas Maduro electoral victory|work=[[BBC News]]|date=12 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-date=16 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616010205/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22866490|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[Supreme Court of Venezuela]] ruled Maduro was the legitimate president.<ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuelan opposition challenges Nicolás Maduro's legitimacy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/09/venezuela-maduro-challenge |location=London |work=The Guardian |first1=Rory |last1=Carroll |first2=Virginia |last2=Lopez |date=9 March 2013 |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=24 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624224130/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/09/venezuela-maduro-challenge |url-status=live}}</ref> Opposition leaders and some international media consider Maduro's government a dictatorship.<ref name=reuters-maduro /><ref name=hrw-maduro>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/03/31/venezuelas-crumbling-facade-democracy|title=Venezuela's crumbling façade of democracy|author=José Miguel Vivanco|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|quote=This ruling is the end of Maduro administration's façade of democracy.|date=31 March 2017|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727171730/https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/03/31/venezuelas-crumbling-facade-democracy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wpo-maduro>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2016/10/21/its-official-venezuela-is-a-dictatorship/|title=It's official: Venezuela is a full-blown dictatorship|author=Francisco Toro|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=21 October 2016|access-date=18 July 2017|archive-date=10 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172817/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2016/10/21/its-official-venezuela-is-a-dictatorship/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Since February 2014, hundreds of thousands have protested over high levels of criminal violence, corruption, hyperinflation, and chronic scarcity of basic goods due to government policies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Protesters in Venezuela Press Government |url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304834704579401612202743396 |access-date=12 April 2014 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=23 February 2014 |first1=Ezequiel |last1=Minaya |first2=Kejal |last2=Vyas |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225003252/https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304834704579401612202743396 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuelans protest en masse in rival rallies |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/02/24/venezuelans-protest-en-masse-in-rival-rallies/ |access-date=12 April 2014 |newspaper=Borneo Post |date=24 February 2014 |archive-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012091225/http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/02/24/venezuelans-protest-en-masse-in-rival-rallies/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuela Inflation Hits 16-Year High as Shortages Rise |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-07/venezuela-inflation-hits-16-year-high-as-shortages-rise.html |access-date=16 February 2014 |work=[[Bloomberg.com]] |date=7 November 2013 |first=Anatoly |last=Kurmanaev |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222160511/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-07/venezuela-inflation-hits-16-year-high-as-shortages-rise.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Demonstrations and riots have resulted in over 40 fatalities in the unrest between Chavistas and opposition protesters<ref name="2014protests">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1F0SQ20140217 |title=Venezuela's Lopez says ready for arrest at Tuesday march |last1=Wallis |first1=Daniel |last2=Chinea |first2=Eyanir |date=16 February 2014 |website=reuters.com |publisher=Thomson Reuters |access-date=16 February 2014 |archive-date=17 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217042736/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/17/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1F0SQ20140217 |url-status=live}}</ref> and opposition leaders, including [[Leopoldo López]] and [[Antonio Ledezma]] were arrested.<ref name="2014protests" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Venezuela HRF Declares Leopoldo Lopez a Prisoner of Conscience and Calls for his Immediate Release |website=Human Rights Foundation |url=http://humanrightsfoundation.org/news/venezuela-hrf-declares-leopoldo-López-a-prisoner-of-conscience-and-calls-for-his-immediate-release-00355}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sebin se lleva detenido al alcalde Antonio Ledezma |url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2015/02/19/sebin-se-lleva-detenido-al-alcalde-antonio-ledezma/ |website=La Patilla |access-date=19 February 2015 |archive-date=20 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220013237/http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2015/02/19/sebin-se-lleva-detenido-al-alcalde-antonio-ledezma/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Human rights groups condemned the arrest of López.<ref>{{cite web |title=Venezuela: Human rights groups reject condemnation of jailed Leopoldo Lopez as 'baseless' |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/venezuela-human-rights-groups-reject-condemnation-jailed-leopoldo-lopez-baseless-1519333 |website=International Business Times UK |date=11 September 2015 |access-date=17 November 2015 |archive-date=14 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114205005/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/venezuela-human-rights-groups-reject-condemnation-jailed-leopoldo-lopez-baseless-1519333 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2015 Venezuelan parliamentary election]], the opposition gained a majority.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Rosati|first1=Andrew|last2=Soto|first2=Noris|date=6 December 2015|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-06/venezuelans-to-vote-in-polls-seen-handing-congress-to-opposition|title=Venezuela Seen Handing Congress to Opposition in Sunday Vote|work=[[Bloomberg.com]]|access-date=22 August 2016|archive-date=6 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151206224919/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-06/venezuelans-to-vote-in-polls-seen-handing-congress-to-opposition|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:We Are Millions march Venezuela.jpg|right|thumb|[[2017 Venezuelan protests]]]]
Venezuela devalued its currency in February 2013 due to rising shortages,<ref name="Businessweek" /><ref name=WSJ-Devalue-Currency/> [[shortages in Venezuela|which included]] milk and other necessities. This led to an increase in malnutrition, especially among children.<ref name=TheGuardian-Food-Shortages>{{cite news |last=Lopez |first=Virginia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/sep/26/venezuela-food-shortages-rich-country-cia |title=Venezuela food shortages: 'No one can explain why a rich country has no food' |work=theguardian.com |date=26 September 2013 |access-date=30 December 2013 |archive-date=25 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725134505/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/sep/26/venezuela-food-shortages-rich-country-cia |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ECONeatCHAVISMO">{{cite news |title=Let them eat Chavismo The UN honours Venezuela for curbing hunger—which is actually getting worse |url=https://www.economist.com/news/americas/21654653-un-honours-venezuela-curbing-hungerwhich-actually-getting-worse-let-them-eat-chavismo |access-date=22 July 2015 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=12 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712074112/http://www.economist.com/news/americas/21654653-un-honours-venezuela-curbing-hungerwhich-actually-getting-worse-let-them-eat-chavismo |url-status=live}}</ref> The economy had become dependent on the exportation of oil, with crude accounting for 86% of exports,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/ven/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329043503/https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/ven/ |archive-date=29 March 2019 |title=Venezuela |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=5 February 2019 |website=Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The Observatory of Economic Complexity |publisher=The Massachusetts Institute of Technology |access-date=5 February 2019}}</ref> and a high price per barrel to support social programs. Beginning in 2014 the [[price of oil]] plummeted from over $100 to $40. This placed pressure on the economy, which was no longer able to afford vast social programs. The Government began taking more money from [[PDVSA]], the state oil company, resulting in a lack of reinvestment in fields and employees. Production decreased from its height of nearly {{convert|3|to|1|e6oilbbl|e3m3|abbr=off|lk=on}} per day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/world/americas/venezuela-oil-economy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614225843/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/world/americas/venezuela-oil-economy.html |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Workers Flee and Thieves Loot Venezuela's Reeling Oil Giant|last1=Neuman|first1=William|date=14 June 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=15 June 2018|last2=Krauss|first2=Clifford}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-workers-insight/under-military-rule-venezuela-oil-workers-quit-in-a-stampede-idUSKBN1HO0H9|title=Under military rule, Venezuela oil workers quit in a stampede|last=Buitrago|first=Deisy|date=17 April 2018|website=[[Reuters]]|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=29 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929203614/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-workers-insight/under-military-rule-venezuela-oil-workers-quit-in-a-stampede-idUSKBN1HO0H9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/maduro-wrecked-venezuelas-oil-industry-11549325002|title=Maduro Wrecked Venezuela's Oil Industry|last=Yergin|first=Daniel|date=4 February 2019|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205062911/https://www.wsj.com/articles/maduro-wrecked-venezuelas-oil-industry-11549325002|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In 2014, Venezuela entered a [[recession]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy-idUSKBN0K81KV20141231 |last1=Pons |first1=Corina |last2=Cawthorne |first2=Andrew |title=Recession-hit Venezuela vows New Year reforms, foes scoff |access-date=24 March 2017 |work=Reuters |date=30 December 2014 |archive-date=25 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325112919/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy-idUSKBN0K81KV20141231 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2015, had the world's highest inflation, surpassing 100%.<ref name="FPblackbox">{{cite news |last1=Cristóbal Nagel |first1=Juan |title=Looking Into the Black Box of Venezuela's Economy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/07/13/looking-into-the-black-box-of-venezuelas-economy-caracas-bolivar-maduro/ |access-date=14 July 2015 |work=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=13 July 2015 |archive-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611100054/https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/07/13/looking-into-the-black-box-of-venezuelas-economy-caracas-bolivar-maduro/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, [[Donald Trump]]'s administration imposed more [[economic sanctions]] against PDVSA and Venezuelan officials.<ref>{{cite news |title=With executive order, Trump imposes new round of Venezuela sanctions |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/25/executive-order-trump-imposes-new-round-venezuela-sanctions/601667001/ |work=USA Today |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301010435/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/08/25/executive-order-trump-imposes-new-round-venezuela-sanctions/601667001/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dollars Are Out, Euros Are In as U.S. Sanctions Sting Venezuela |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-16/dollars-are-out-euros-are-in-as-u-s-sanctions-sting-venezuela |work=[[Bloomberg.com]] |date=16 October 2018 |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=17 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617051850/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-16/dollars-are-out-euros-are-in-as-u-s-sanctions-sting-venezuela |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. sanctions Venezuela officials, Trump slams Maduro |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela/u-s-sanctions-venezuela-officials-trump-slams-maduro-idUSKCN1M51WC |work=[[Reuters]] |date=25 September 2018 |first1=Lesley |last1=Wroughton |first2=Brian |last2=Ellsworth |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=25 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020615/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela/u-s-sanctions-venezuela-officials-trump-slams-maduro-idUSKCN1M51WC |url-status=live}}</ref> Economic problems, as well as crime, were the causes of the [[Venezuelan protests (2014–present)|2014–present Venezuelan protests]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela's economic nightmare takes an ugly turn |url=http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/14/venezuela-protests-inflation/ |access-date=28 May 2014 |newspaper=CNN Money |date=14 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528060618/http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/14/venezuela-protests-inflation/ |archive-date=28 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Garreau |first=Simone |title=Venezuelan Oil Dynamics: Why The Protests Matter |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/riskmap/2014/05/12/venezuelan-oil-dynamics-why-the-protests-matter/ |access-date=28 May 2014 |newspaper=Forbes |date=12 May 2014 |archive-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726140157/http://www.forbes.com/sites/riskmap/2014/05/12/venezuelan-oil-dynamics-why-the-protests-matter/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2014, roughly 5.6 million people have [[Venezuelan refugee crisis|fled Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuela crisis: How the political situation escalated |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36319877 |access-date=15 September 2021 |agency=BBC |date=12 August 2021 |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212214918/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36319877 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2016, Maduro decreed an "economic emergency", revealing the extent of the crisis and expanding his powers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy-idUSKCN0UT2ER|title=Venezuela decrees 'economic emergency,' reveals depth of crisis|last1=Cawthorne|first1=Andrew|last2=Ulmer|first2=Alexandra|newspaper=Reuters|date=15 January 2016|access-date=16 October 2018|archive-date=16 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016203315/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy-idUSKCN0UT2ER|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2016, Colombian border crossings were temporarily opened to allow Venezuelans to purchase food and basic health items.<ref name="Venezuelans Cross Into Colombia In Search Of Food">{{cite news |title=Thousands Of Venezuelans Cross Into Colombia In Search Of Food And Medicine |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/venezuela-colombia-bridge-photo_us_578be683e4b0867123e1ab77 |access-date=29 July 2016 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=17 July 2016 |archive-date=21 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721110554/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/venezuela-colombia-bridge-photo_us_578be683e4b0867123e1ab77 |url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2016, a study<ref name="Hambre en Venezuela: El 15.7% de los venezolanos se ha alimentado de residuos">{{cite news |title=Hambre en Venezuela: El 15,7% de los venezolanos se ha alimentado de residuos |url=http://www.diariolasamericas.com/america-latina/hambre-venezuela-el-157-de-los-venezolanos-se-ha-alimentado-residuos-n4102524 |access-date=9 September 2016 |work=[[Diario Las Américas]] |date=9 September 2016 |archive-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911185504/http://www.diariolasamericas.com/america-latina/hambre-venezuela-el-157-de-los-venezolanos-se-ha-alimentado-residuos-n4102524 |url-status=live}}</ref> indicated 15% of Venezuelans were eating "[[food waste]] discarded by commercial establishments". 200 prison riots had occurred by October 2016.<ref name="Man claims son was eaten by fellow inmates during riot in Venezuelan prison">{{cite news |title=Man claims son was eaten by fellow inmates during riot in Venezuelan prison |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2016/10/14/man-claims-son-was-eaten-by-fellow-inmates-during-riot-in-venezuelan-prison/ |access-date=15 October 2016 |publisher=[[Fox News]] |date=14 October 2016 |archive-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014192725/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2016/10/14/man-claims-son-was-eaten-by-fellow-inmates-during-riot-in-venezuelan-prison/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The TSJ chamber at Maduro 2019 inauguration.jpg|thumb|Maduro was [[Second inauguration of Nicolás Maduro|inaugurated]] for a [[2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis|contested]] and controversial second term in January 2019.]]
The Maduro-aligned [[Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Venezuela)|Supreme Tribunal]], which had been overturning [[National Assembly (Venezuela)|National Assembly]] decisions since the opposition took control, took over the functions of the assembly, creating the [[2017 Venezuelan constitutional crisis]].<ref name=reuters-maduro>{{cite news |title=Venezuela's Maduro decried as 'dictator' after Congress annulled |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKBN17122M |access-date=26 April 2017 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=31 March 2017 |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427195005/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKBN17122M/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2017, the [[2017 Constituent National Assembly]] was elected and stripped the National Assembly of its powers.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} The election raised concerns of an emerging dictatorship.<ref name="NYTjail">{{cite news|last1=Casey|first1=Nicholas|last2=Herrero|first2=Ana Vanessa|title=Jailings Raise Fears of Dictatorship in Venezuela|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/01/world/americas/venezuela-opposition-nicolas-maduro.html|access-date=2 August 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1 August 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801233703/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/01/world/americas/venezuela-opposition-nicolas-maduro.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2017, Maduro declared opposition parties barred from the following year's presidential vote after they boycotted mayoral polls.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/11/venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-bans-opposition-parties-election/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/11/venezuelas-nicolas-maduro-bans-opposition-parties-election/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro bans opposition parties from election|agency=Agence France-Presse|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 December 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Maduro won the [[2018 Venezuelan presidential election|2018 election]] with 68% of the vote. The result was challenged by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France and the US who deemed it fraudulent and recognized [[Juan Guaidó]] as president.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Charner | first1=Flora | last2=Newton | first2=Paula | last3=Gallón | first3=Natalie |date=21 May 2018 |title=Opponents slam Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's election victory as a sham |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/20/americas/venezuela-elections/index.html | work=CNN | access-date=13 November 2018 | quote=An alliance of 14 Latin American nations and Canada, known as the Lima Group, released a statement Monday calling the vote illegitimate... The alliance includes Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Paraguay, St. Lucia, Guyana, Peru, Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica. |archive-date=13 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113210747/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/20/americas/venezuela-elections/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Sam |last2=Wintour |first2=Patrick |title=EU countries recognise Juan Guaidó as interim Venezuelan leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/04/juan-guaido-interim-venezuela-leader-europe |access-date=4 February 2019 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113154658/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/04/juan-guaido-interim-venezuela-leader-europe |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rapalo |first1=Manuel |date=26 January 2019 |title=Mexico stays neutral in Venezuela political crisis |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/mexico-stays-neutral-venezuela-political-crisis-190126152842450.html |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203204038/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/mexico-stays-neutral-venezuela-political-crisis-190126152842450.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Other countries continued to recognize Maduro,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Andrew |last2=Kuo |first2=Lily |last3=Agren |first3=David |last4=Augustin |first4=Ed |last5=Walker |first5=Peter |date=24 January 2019 |title=Russia and key allies vow to stand by Maduro in Venezuela crisis |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/24/juan-guaido-venezuelas-opposition-leader-declares-himself-interim-president |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124200603/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/24/juan-guaido-venezuelas-opposition-leader-declares-himself-interim-president |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Russia, Turkey, China denounce US interference in Venezuela |work=Al Jazeera |date=25 January 2019 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/world-powers-denounce-interference-venezuela-190124102403407.html |access-date=25 January 2019 |archive-date=24 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124211450/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/world-powers-denounce-interference-venezuela-190124102403407.html |url-status=live}}</ref> although China, facing financial pressure over its position, began hedging by decreasing loans, cancelling joint ventures, and signaling willingness to work with all parties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lau |first1=Stuart |title=Self-declared leader of Venezuela Juan Guaido extends olive branch to China, wants 'productive and mutually beneficial relationship' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2184773/exclusive-self-declared-leader-venezuela-juan-guaido-extends |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=The South China Morning Post |date=2 February 2019 |archive-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204090126/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2184773/exclusive-self-declared-leader-venezuela-juan-guaido-extends |url-status=live}}<br />{{*}}{{cite news |last1=Page |first1=Jeremy |title=China Counts the Costs of Its Big Bet on Venezuela |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-counts-the-costs-of-its-big-bet-on-venezuela-11549038825 |access-date=6 February 2019 |url-access=subscription |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206001805/https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-counts-the-costs-of-its-big-bet-on-venezuela-11549038825 |url-status=live}}<br />{{*}}{{cite news |last1=Meyer |first1=Henry |last2=Arkhipov |first2=Ilya |date=6 February 2019 |title=Russia Starts to Worry Maduro's Grip Is Slipping in Venezuela |work=The Moscow Times |url=https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russia-starts-to-worry-maduros-grip-is-slipping-in-venezuela-64416 |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206152404/https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russia-starts-to-worry-maduros-grip-is-slipping-in-venezuela-64416 |url-status=live}}<br />{{*}}{{cite news |last1=Gedan |first1=Benjamin |title=China's Venezuela Policy Is Losing Popularity – in China |url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/change-coming-chinas-venezuela-policy |access-date=8 February 2019 |work=America's Quarterly |date=27 November 2018 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124304/https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/change-coming-chinas-venezuela-policy |url-status=live}}<br />{{*}}{{Cite news |last1=Lo |first1=Kinling |date=9 February 2019 |title=From oil to infrastructure, why China has plenty to lose from political turmoil in Venezuela |work=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2185467/oil-infrastructure-why-china-has-plenty-lose-political-turmoil |access-date=11 February 2019 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212061539/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2185467/oil-infrastructure-why-china-has-plenty-lose-political-turmoil |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release  |publisher=OAS – Organization of American States|title=OAS Permanent Council Agrees "to not recognize the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro's new term" |website=www.oas.org |url=http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-001/19 |date=10 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124053630/http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-001%2F19|archive-date=24 January 2019|url-status=live |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, Trump imposed an economic embargo against Venezuela.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Paul LeBlanc |title=Trump announces total economic embargo against Venezuela |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/05/politics/trump-economic-embargo-venezuela/index.html |website=CNN |date=6 August 2019 |access-date=6 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806020614/https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/05/politics/trump-economic-embargo-venezuela/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2020, Trump indicted Maduro and Venezuelan officials, on charges of drug trafficking, [[narcoterrorism]], and corruption.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nicol-s-maduro-moros-and-14-current-and-former-venezuelan-officials-charged-narco-terrorism|title=Nicolás Maduro Moros and 14 Current and Former Venezuelan Officials Charged with Narco-Terrorism, Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Criminal Charges|date=26 March 2020|website=www.justice.gov|access-date=26 March 2020|archive-date=26 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326173311/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/nicol-s-maduro-moros-and-14-current-and-former-venezuelan-officials-charged-narco-terrorism|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2020, a report documented [[enforced disappearance]]s that occurred in 2018–19. 724 enforced disappearances of [[Political prisoner|political detainees]] were reported. The report stated that security forces subjected victims to [[Torture in Venezuela|torture]]. The report stated the government used enforced disappearances to silence opponents and other critical voices.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Turkewitz|first1=Julie |last2=Kurmanaev|first2=Anatoly|date=19 June 2020 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/world/americas/venezuela-forced-disappearances-Maduro.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619092846/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/world/americas/venezuela-forced-disappearances-Maduro.html |archive-date=19 June 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=A Knock, Then Gone: Venezuela Secretly Detains Hundreds to Silence Critics |work=The New York Times |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://rfkhumanrights.org/work/protecting-human-rights/latin-america/venezuela/enforced-disappearance-tool-political-repression-venezuela |title=Enforced Disappearance Tool Political Repression Venezuela |date=2020<!--"May 31, 2020, the date of this report's finalization"--> |publisher=[[Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights]] |access-date=1 October 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929163833/https://rfkhumanrights.org/work/protecting-human-rights/latin-america/venezuela/enforced-disappearance-tool-political-repression-venezuela |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Protestas en Caracas contra la reelección de Nicolás Maduro, 2024.jpg|thumb|Protesters in Caracas fighting against the public forces during the [[2024 Venezuelan protests]]]]
[[Nicolás Maduro|Maduro]] ran for a third consecutive term in the [[2024 Venezuelan presidential election|2024 presidential election]], while former diplomat [[Edmundo González Urrutia]] represented the [[Unitary Platform]] ({{langx|es|Plataforma Unitaria Democrática}}; PUD), the main opposition political alliance.<ref name= MCM>{{cite news |title=Líder da oposição nas pesquisas, María Corina Machado é inabilitada por 15 anos na Venezuela |url=https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2023/06/lider-da-oposicao-nas-pesquisas-maria-corina-machado-e-inabilitada-por-15-anos-na-venezuela.ghtml |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=O Globo |date=30 June 2023 |language=pt-br |archive-date=23 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823215933/https://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2023/06/lider-da-oposicao-nas-pesquisas-maria-corina-machado-e-inabilitada-por-15-anos-na-venezuela.ghtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Venezuela's Supreme Court disqualifies opposition leader from running for president |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/01/27/venezuela-s-supreme-court-disqualifies-opposition-leader-from-running-for-president_6469941_4.html |access-date=31 July 2024 |date=27 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823215931/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/01/27/venezuela-s-supreme-court-disqualifies-opposition-leader-from-running-for-president_6469941_4.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Polls conducted before the election indicated that González would win by a wide margin. After the government-controlled [[National Electoral Council (Venezuela)|National Electoral Council]] (CNE) announced partial results showing a narrow Maduro victory on 29 July, [[International reactions to the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election|world leaders predominantly expressed skepticism of the claimed results]] and did not recognize the CNE claims<ref name= HardtoBelieve>{{cite news |first= Sam |last= Jones |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/29/venezuela-election-result-suspicion-abroad-nicolas-maduro |title= 'Hard to believe': Venezuela election result met with suspicion abroad |work= The Guardian |date= 29 July 2024 |access-date= 29 July 2024 |archive-date= 23 August 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240823215932/https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/29/venezuela-election-result-suspicion-abroad-nicolas-maduro |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name=reuters29jul>{{cite web |title=Leaders across Americas react to Venezuela election results |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/latin-american-leaders-react-venezuela-election-results-2024-07-29/ |website=Reuters |date=29 July 2024 |access-date=29 July 2024}}</ref> with only some exceptions.<ref name= WorldLeadersCast>{{cite news |first1= Samantha |last1= Schmidt |first2= Leo |last2= Sands |first3= Vanessa |last3= Herrero |title= World leaders cast doubt on Maduro's claim of victory in Venezuelan election |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/29/venezuela-presidential-election-result-maduro/ |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= 29 July 2024 |access-date= 29 July 2024 |archive-date= 29 July 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240729215316/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/29/venezuela-presidential-election-result-maduro/ |url-status= live }}</ref> 

Both González and Maduro proclaimed themselves winners of the election. The results of the election were not recognized by the [[Carter Center]] and [[Organization of American States]] due to the lack of granular results, and disputed by the opposition, which claimed a landslide victory and released access to vote tallies collected by [[poll watchers]] from a majority of polling centers as proof.<ref name="OAS_report_VE_pres_elec_DECO">

{{cite web |title= Informe del Departamento para la Cooperación y Observación Electoral (DECO) de la Secretaría para el Fortalecimiento de la Democracia de la OEA sobre la elección presidencial de Venezuela para el Secretario General Luis Almagro |language= es |publisher= Organization of American States |date= 30 July 2024 |trans-title= Report of the Department for Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO) of the Secretariat for the Strengthening of Democracy of the OAS on the presidential election of Venezuela for the Secretary General Luis Almagro|url= https://www.oas.org/fpdb/press/Informe-al-SG-sobre-Elecciones-Venezuela-2024-30-de-julio-para-distribuir-(1).pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240730170718/https://www.oas.org/fpdb/press/Informe-al-SG-sobre-Elecciones-Venezuela-2024-30-de-julio-para-distribuir-(1).pdf |archive-date= 30 July 2024 |access-date= 10 August 2024 |id= Wikidata [[:d:Q128129159]] }}</ref><ref name="opposition_results_website">{{Cite web|url=https://resultadospresidencialesvenezuela2024.com/|title=Informacion de Centros y mesas de votacion|website=resultadospresidencialesvenezuela2024.com|access-date=11 August 2024|archive-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807014959/https://resultadospresidencialesvenezuela2024.com/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LaPatilla_how2access_electoral_records">{{cite web|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/2024/07/30/como-acceder-a-la-pagina-web-para-verificar-las-actas-electorales-que-maduro-bloqueo-en-venezuela/|title=Cómo acceder a la página web para verificar las actas electorales que Maduro bloqueó en Venezuela|work=[[La Patilla]]|date=30 July 2024|language=es|access-date=11 August 2024|archive-date=16 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816211936/https://www.lapatilla.com/2024/07/30/como-acceder-a-la-pagina-web-para-verificar-las-actas-electorales-que-maduro-bloqueo-en-venezuela/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=WSJElectionDatabase>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelas-opposition-releases-election-database-claims-big-victory-over-strongman-maduro-fee5bc0c|work=The Wall Street Journal|url-access=subscription|date=30 July 2024|access-date=30 July 2024|title=Venezuela's Opposition Releases Election Database; Claims Big Victory Over Strongman Maduro|first1=Kejal|last1=Vyas|first2=Ryan|last2=Dubé|archive-date=30 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730205829/https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelas-opposition-releases-election-database-claims-big-victory-over-strongman-maduro-fee5bc0c|url-status=live|quote=The Venezuelan opposition has moved to show concrete evidence that the election was stolen. ... The opposition said it had collected data from 73% of the country's voting stations on its own and compiled it in a publicly accessible database on Tuesday. Using their national identification, Venezuelans can sign in and review a scanned tally sheet from their voting station showing how many votes went to each candidate. ... 'I found mine, the proof is there,' said Celina Ramirez, an opposition supporter who said she was able to log into the website to locate the tally sheet from her east Caracas voting center, which she said showed González receiving the lion's share of votes. 'There's no way the regime can fool everyone with their tricks,' she added ... The Carter Center, one of the few international organizations invited to monitor the elections, has urged Venezuela's government to release comprehensive polling data at the local level, which is needed to assess the electoral process. ...The opposition hopes the release of the database will increase pressure on Maduro's autocratic regime to make public the detailed results of the election.}} Also available from [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/venezuela-s-maduro-moves-to-silence-opposition-after-disputed-election/ar-BB1qTSWi MSN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823220053/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/venezuela-s-maduro-moves-to-silence-opposition-after-disputed-election/ar-BB1qTSWi |date=23 August 2024 }}.</ref>

In the [[2024 Venezuelan presidential election#Aftermath|aftermath]] of the announcement of results by the election authorities, [[2024 Venezuelan protests|protests broke out across the country]].

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Venezuela}}

[[File:Venezuela Topography.png|300px|thumb|A topographic map of Venezuela]]
[[File:All Venezuela in three parts.jpg|thumb|A pictorial map of Venezuela]]
Venezuela is located in the north of South America. Geologically, its mainland rests on the [[South American Plate]]. It has a total area of {{convert|916445|km2|abbr=on}} and a land area of {{convert|882050|km2|abbr=on}}, making Venezuela the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|33rd largest country in the world]]. The territory it controls lies between latitudes [[equator|0°]] and [[16th parallel north|16°N]] and longitudes [[59th meridian west|59°]] and [[74th meridian west|74°W]].

Shaped roughly like a triangle, Venezuela has a {{convert|2800|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} coastline in the north, which includes numerous islands in the Caribbean and the northeast borders the northern Atlantic Ocean. Most observers describe Venezuela in terms of four fairly well defined [[topography|topographical]] regions: the [[Maracaibo Basin|Maracaibo lowlands]] in the northwest, the northern mountains extending in a broad east–west arc from the Colombian border along the northern Caribbean coast, the wide plains in central Venezuela, and the [[Guiana Highlands]] in the southeast.

The northern mountains are the extreme northeastern extensions of South America's Andes mountain range. [[Pico Bolívar]], the nation's highest point at {{convert|4979|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, lies in this region. To the south, the dissected [[Guayana Region|Guiana Highlands]] contain the northern fringes of the Amazon Basin and [[Angel Falls]], the world's highest waterfall, as well as ''[[tepui]]s'', large table-like mountains. Venezuela's center is characterized by the ''llanos'', which are extensive plains that stretch from the Colombian border in the far west to the Orinoco River [[river delta|delta]] in the east. The Orinoco, with its rich [[alluvium|alluvial soils]], binds the largest and most important [[Drainage system (geomorphology)|river system]] of Venezuela. It originates in one of the largest [[drainage basin|watersheds]] in Latin America. The [[Caroní River (Venezuela)|Caroní]] and the [[Apure River|Apure]] are other major rivers.

[[File:Guanaguanare.JPG|thumb|273x273px|[[Cayo de Agua]], [[Los Roques Archipelago|Los Roques]] Archipiélago, [[Caribbean Sea]]]]
Venezuela borders Colombia to the west, [[Guyana]] to the east, and Brazil to the south. Caribbean islands such as [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Grenada]], [[Curaçao]], [[Aruba]], and the [[Leeward Antilles]] lie near the Venezuelan coast. Venezuela has territorial disputes with Guyana, formerly United Kingdom, largely concerning the [[Guyana–Venezuela territorial dispute|Essequibo area]], and with Colombia concerning the [[Gulf of Venezuela]]. In 1895, after years of diplomatic attempts to solve the border dispute, the dispute over the Essequibo River border flared up. It was submitted to a "neutral" commission, composed of British, American, and Russian representatives and without a direct Venezuelan representative, which in 1899 decided mostly against Venezuela's claim.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Climate of Venezuela}}Venezuela is entirely located in the tropics over the Equator to around 12° N. Its climate varies from humid low-elevation plains, where average annual temperatures range as high as {{convert|35|°C|°F|1}}, to glaciers and highlands (the ''[[páramo]]s'') with an average yearly temperature of {{convert|8|°C|°F|1}}. Annual rainfall varies from {{convert|430|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the semiarid portions of the northwest to over {{convert|1000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} in the Orinoco Delta of the far east and the Amazonian Jungle in the south.<ref name="LOC_2005"/>

The precipitation level is lower from August to April. These periods are referred to as hot-humid and cold-dry seasons. Another characteristic of the climate is this variation throughout Venezuela by the existence of a mountain range called "Cordillera de la Costa" which crosses Venezuela from east to west. The majority of the population lives in these mountains.<ref name="LOC_2005">{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Venezuela.pdf|title=Country Profile: Venezuela|year=2005|publisher=Library of Congress (Federal Research Division)|access-date=10 March 2007|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225154220/https://www.loc.gov/collections/country-studies/about-this-collection/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Venezuela Köppen.png|thumb|266x266px|A [[Köppen climate classification]] map of Venezuela]]

Venezuela falls into four horizontal temperature zones based primarily on elevation, having tropical, dry, temperate with dry winters, and polar ([[alpine tundra]]) climates, amongst others.{{sfn|Warhol|2006|p=65}}<ref name="Geografía – Clima">{{cite web |year=2009 |url = http://www.gobiernoenlinea.ve/venezuela/perfil_geografia4.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060303153257/http://www.gobiernoenlinea.ve/venezuela/perfil_geografia4.html|archive-date = 3 March 2006|title = Gobierno en Línea: Geografía, Clima|publisher = gobiernoenlinea.ve| access-date =27 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/alpine.htm|title=The Alpine Biome|access-date=19 December 2009|website=marietta.edu|archive-date=19 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119015720/http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/alpine.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the tropical zone—below {{convert|800|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}—temperatures are hot, with yearly averages ranging between {{convert|26|and|28|°C|°F|1}}. The temperate zone ranges between {{convert|800|and|2000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} with averages from {{convert|12|to|25|°C|°F|1}}; many of Venezuela's cities, including the capital, lie in this region. Colder conditions with temperatures from {{convert|9|to|11|°C|°F|1}} are found in the cool zone between {{convert|2000|and|3000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, especially in the Venezuelan Andes, where pastureland and permanent snowfield with yearly averages below {{convert|8|°C}} cover land above {{convert|3000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} in the ''páramos''.

The highest temperature recorded was {{convert|42|°C}} in [[Machiques]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Extreme High Temperature in Venezuela|url=http://www.wunderground.com/climate/local_extremes.asp?extremesstation.db=burtworld&extremesstation.station_id=421|publisher=wunderground|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920031041/http://www.wunderground.com/climate/local_extremes.asp?extremesstation.db=burtworld&extremesstation.station_id=421|archive-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> The lowest temperature recorded was {{convert|-11|°C}}, reported from an uninhabited high altitude at [[Pico Piedras Blancas|Páramo de Piedras Blancas]] ([[Mérida state]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Extreme Low Temp in Venezuela|url=http://www.wunderground.com/climate/local_extremes.asp?extremesstation.db=burtworld&extremesstation.station_id=438|publisher=Wunderground|access-date=16 October 2012|quote=NOTE: Pass the cursor over the subrayed record to see the source of this. "This location is probably uninhabited, but is close to the town of San Isidro de Apartaderos. {{convert|-11|°C|°F|abbr=on}} has been reported from an uninhabited high altitude at Páramo de Piedras Blancas, Mérida state."|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706064537/http://www.wunderground.com/climate/local_extremes.asp?extremesstation.db=burtworld&extremesstation.station_id=438|archive-date=6 July 2013}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity and conservation ===
{{Main|Natural regions of Venezuela|Fauna of Venezuela|Flora of Venezuela|National symbols of Venezuela|List of birds of Venezuela|Environmental issues in Venezuela|List of national parks of Venezuela}}
[[File:Curacao-Icterus-Icterus-2013.JPG|thumb|The national animal of Venezuela is the [[Venezuelan troupial]].]]

Venezuela lies within the [[Neotropical realm]]. Large portions of Venezuela were originally covered by [[tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|moist broadleaf forests]]. One of 17 [[megadiverse countries]],<ref>{{cite news|title=South America Banks on Regional Strategy to Safeguard Quarter of Earth's Biodiversity |url=http://www.conservation.org/xp/news/press_releases/2003/091603_andean_eng.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031004032107/http://www.conservation.org/xp/news/press_releases/2003/091603_andean_eng.xml |archive-date=4 October 2003 |work=Conservation International |date=16 September 2003}}</ref> Venezuela's [[habitat]]s range from the Andes Mountains in the west to the Amazon Basin rainforest in the south, via extensive ''llanos'' plains and Caribbean coast in the center and the Orinoco River Delta in the east. They include [[deserts and xeric shrublands|xeric scrublands]] in the extreme northwest and coastal [[mangrove]] forests in the northeast.<ref name="LOC_2005" /> Its [[cloud forest]]s and lowland [[rainforest]]s are particularly rich.{{sfn|Dydynski|Beech|2004|p=42}}

[[fauna of Venezuela|Animals]] of Venezuela are diverse and include [[manatee]]s, [[three-toed sloth]], [[two-toed sloth]], [[Amazon river dolphin]]s, and [[Orinoco Crocodile]]s, which have been reported to reach up to {{convert|6.6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in length. Venezuela hosts a total of 1,417 bird species, 48 of which are endemic.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lepage|first=Denis|url=http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=ve&list=clements|title=Checklist of birds of Venezuela|website=Bird Checklists of the World|publisher=Avibase|access-date=4 May 2007|archive-date=22 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522022438/http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=ve&list=clements|url-status=live}}</ref> Important birds include [[ibis]]es, [[osprey]]s, [[kingfisher]]s,{{sfn|Dydynski|Beech|2004|p=42}} and the yellow-orange [[Venezuelan troupial]], the national bird. Notable [[mammal]]s include the [[giant anteater]], [[jaguar]], and the [[capybara]], the world's largest [[rodent]]. More than half of Venezuelan avian and mammalian species are found in the [[Amazon Rainforest|Amazonian forests]] south of the Orinoco.<ref name="Bevilacqua_2002">{{Cite web |last1=Bevilacqua |first1=M |last2=Cardenas |first2=L |last3=Flores |first3=AL |year=2002 |title=State of Venezuela's forests: A case study of the Guayana Region |publisher=World Resources Institute |url=http://archive.wri.org/page.cfm?id=1607&z=? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215051848/http://archive.wri.org/page.cfm?id=1607&z=%3F |archive-date=15 February 2009 |access-date=10 March 2007 |display-authors=etal }}</ref>

For the fungi, an account was provided by R.W.G. Dennis<ref>Dennis, R.W.G. "Fungus Flora of Venezuela and Adjacent Countries". Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1970</ref> which has been digitized and the records made available on-line as part of the Cybertruffle Robigalia database.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cybertruffle's Robigalia – Observations of fungi and their associated organisms |publisher=cybertruffle.org.uk |url=http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/robigalia/eng/index.htm |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=29 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229121452/http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/robigalia/eng/index.htm }}</ref> That database includes nearly 3,900 species of fungi recorded from Venezuela, but is far from complete, and the true total number of fungal species already known from Venezuela is likely higher, given the generally accepted estimate that only about 7% of all fungi worldwide have so far been discovered.{{sfn|''Georgia Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments'' |2013|p=36}}

[[File:Shakira posando.JPG|thumb|289x289px|A crocodile in Hato El Cedral in [[Apure State]]]]
Among plants of Venezuela, over 25,000 species of [[orchidaceae|orchids]] are found in the country's cloud forest and lowland rainforest ecosystems.{{sfn|Dydynski|Beech|2004|p=42}} These include the ''flor de mayo'' orchid (''[[Cattleya mossiae]]''), the national flower. Venezuela's national tree is the [[Tabebuia chrysantha|araguaney]]. The tops of the tepuis are also home to several carnivorous plants including the marsh pitcher plant, [[Heliamphora]], and the insectivorous bromeliad, [[Brocchinia reducta]].

Venezuela is among the top 20 countries in terms of [[endemism]].<ref name="GFW">{{cite web|title=Venezuela: Overview |publisher=Global Forest Watch |url=http://www.globalforestwatch.org/english/venezuela/ |access-date=10 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208045046/http://www.globalforestwatch.org/english/venezuela/ |archive-date=8 December 2006}}</ref> Among its animals, 23% of [[reptile|reptilian]] and 50% of [[amphibian]] species, including the [[Mannophryne trinitatis|Trinidad poison frog]], are endemic.<ref name="GFW" /><ref>Jowers, M., & Downie, J. (2004). Distribution of the frog Mannophryne trinitatis (Anura: Dendrobatidae) in Trinidad, West Indies. ''Living World'', ''2004''.</ref> Although the available information is still very small, a first effort has been made to estimate the number of fungal species endemic to Venezuela: 1334 species of fungi have been tentatively identified as possibly endemic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/venefung/eng/endelist.htm |title=Fungi of Venezuela – potential endemics |publisher=cybertruffle.org.uk |access-date=9 July 2011 |archive-date=27 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327204413/http://www.cybertruffle.org.uk/venefung/eng/endelist.htm }}</ref> Some 38% of the over 21,000 plant species known from Venezuela are unique to the country.<ref name="GFW" />

Venezuela is one of the 10 most biodiverse countries on the planet, yet it is one of the leaders of deforestation due to economic and political factors. Each year, roughly 287,600 hectares of forest are permanently destroyed, and other areas are degraded by mining, oil extraction, and logging. Between 1990 and 2005, Venezuela officially lost 8.3% of its forest cover, which is about 4.3&nbsp;million ha. In response, federal protections for critical habitat were implemented. For example, 20% to 33% of forested land is protected.<ref name="Bevilacqua_2002" /> Venezuela's [[biosphere reserve]] is part of the [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]]. Five [[wetlands]] are registered under the [[Ramsar Convention]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Peck |first=D |year=2000 |title=The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance: Venezuela |website=The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands |publisher=Ramsar Convention Secretariat |url=http://www.ramsar.org/profile/profiles_venezuela.htm |access-date=10 March 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070211110943/http://ramsar.org/profile/profiles_venezuela.htm |archive-date = 11 February 2007}}</ref> 

In 2003, 70% of Venezuela's land was under conservation management in over 200 protected areas, including 43 national parks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biodiversity and Protected Areas—Venezuela |year=2003 |publisher=World Resources Institute |website=EarthTrends Country Profiles |access-date=10 March 2007 |url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/bio_cou_862.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703053321/http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/bio_cou_862.pdf |archive-date=3 July 2007}}</ref> [[list of national parks of Venezuela|Venezuela's 43 national parks]] include Canaima National Park, [[Morrocoy National Park]], and [[Mochima National Park]]. In the far south is a reserve for the country's Yanomami tribes. Covering {{convert|32000|sqmi|km2|0|abbr=off}}, the area is off-limits to farmers, miners, and all non-Yanomami settlers.

[[File:LakeVal.jpg|thumb|[[Valencia Lake]], formerly praised by [[Alexander von Humboldt]] for its beauty, is massively polluted due to the countless sewage systems pouring residuals.<ref>Jafé, Espiño, Benítez, Gardinali (1995): Pollution chronology of Lake Valencia, Venezuela. Springer Verlag. New York Inc.</ref>]]Venezuela was one of the few countries that did not enter an [[Intended Nationally Determined Contributions|INDC]] at [[COP21]].<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-08/after-two-decades-of-stumbles-carbon-market-pioneers-revving-up#media-2 Carbon Markets Are Making a Slow, But Steady, Comeback] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002070611/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-08/after-two-decades-of-stumbles-carbon-market-pioneers-revving-up#media-2 |date=2 October 2017}}. [[Bloomberg.com]] (8 December 2015). Retrieved on 15 June 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/indc/Submission%20Pages/submissions.aspx INDC – Submissions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213114249/http://www4.unfccc.int/submissions/indc/Submission%20Pages/submissions.aspx |date=13 February 2016}}. .unfccc.int. Retrieved on 15 June 2016.</ref> Many terrestrial ecosystems are considered [[IUCN Red List of Ecosystems#Risk Categories|endangered]], specially the [[dry forest]] in the northern regions of the country and the [[coral reef]]s in the [[Caribbean]] coast.<ref name="Foundations">{{cite journal|display-authors=1|last1=Keith|first1=D.A.|last2=Rodríguez|first2=J.P.|last3=Rodríguez-Clark|first3=K.M.|last4=Aapala|first4=K.|last5=Alonso|first5=A.|last6=Asmussen|first6=M.|last7=Bachman|first7=S.|last8=Bassett|first8=A.|last9=Barrow|first9=E.G.|last10=Benson|first10=J.S.|last11=Bishop|first11=M.J.|last12=Bonifacio|first12=R.|last13=Brooks|first13=T.M.|last14=Burgman|first14=M.A.|last15=Comer|first15=P.|last16=Comín|first16=F.A.|last17=Essl|first17=F.|last18=Faber-Langendoen|first18=D.|last19=Fairweather|first19=P.G.|last20=Holdaway|first20=R.J.|last21=Jennings|first21=M.|last22=Kingsford|first22=R.T.|last23=Lester|first23=R.E.|last24=Mac Nally|first24=R.|last25=McCarthy|first25=M.A.|last26=Moat|first26=J.|last27=Nicholson|first27=E.|last28=Oliveira-Miranda|first28=M.A.|last29=Pisanu|first29=P.|last30=Poulin|first30=B.|last31=Riecken|first31=U.|last32=Spalding|first32=M.D.|last33=Zambrano-Martínez|first33=S.|title=Scientific Foundations for an IUCN Red List of Ecosystems|journal=PLOS ONE|date=2013|volume=8|issue=5|article-number=e62111|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0062111|pmid=23667454|pmc=3648534|bibcode=2013PLoSO...862111K|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Assessments |url=https://iucnrle.org/assessments/ |website=UCN Red List of Ecosystems |publisher=IUCN-CEM |access-date=22 September 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922173722/https://iucnrle.org/assessments/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rodríguez |first1=J.P.|last2=Nassar|first2=J.M.|last3=Rodríguez-Clark|first3=K.M.|last4=Zager|first4=I. |last5=Portillo-Quintero|first5=C.A.|last6=Carrasquel|first6=F.|last7=Zambrano |first7=S.|title=Tropical dry forests in Venezuela: assessing status, threats and future prospects|journal=Environmental Conservation |volume=35|issue=4|year=2009|page=311|issn=0376-8929|doi=10.1017/S0376892908005237 |s2cid=85838371}}</ref>

There are 105 protected areas in Venezuela, which cover around 26% of the country's continental, marine and insular surface.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

=== Hydrography ===

Venezuela is made up of three river basins: the [[Caribbean Sea]], the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Valencia, which forms an endorheic basin.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k9aEAAAAIAAJ&q=hidrografia+venezuela|title=Anuario estadístico de Venezuela|date=2000|publisher=OCEI|language=es|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129031900/https://books.google.com/books?id=k9aEAAAAIAAJ&q=hidrografia+venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the Atlantic side it drains most of Venezuela's river waters. The largest basin in this area is the extensive Orinoco basin<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kaplan|first=Joanna Overing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=unNsAAAAMAAJ&q=Orinoco+basin|title=The Piaroa, a People of the Orinoco Basin: A Study in Kinship and Marriage|date=1975|publisher=Clarendon Press|isbn=978-0-01-923189-3|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032020/https://books.google.com/books?id=unNsAAAAMAAJ&q=Orinoco+basin|url-status=live}}</ref> whose surface area, close to one million km<sup>2</sup>, is greater than that of the whole of Venezuela, although it has a presence of 65% in the country.

The size of this basin - similar to that of the Danube - makes it the third largest in South America, and it gives rise to a flow of some 33,000 m<sup>3</sup>/s, making the Orinoco the third largest in the world, and also one of the most valuable from the point of view of renewable natural resources. The Rio or Brazo Casiquiare is unique in the world, as it is a natural derivation of the [[Orinoco river|Orinoco]] that, after some 500&nbsp;km in length, connects it to the Negro River, which in turn is a tributary of the [[Amazon River|Amazon]]. 

[[File:LA LAGUNA VICTORIA.JPG|thumb|229x229px|Victoria Lagoon, [[Mérida (state)|Mérida State]]]]
The Orinoco receives directly or indirectly rivers such as the Ventuari, the Caura, the [[Caroní River|Caroní]], the Meta, the [[Arauca River|Arauca]], the Apure and many others. Other Venezuelan rivers that empty into the Atlantic are the waters of the San Juan and Cuyuní basins. Finally, there is the Amazon River, which receives the Guainía, the Negro and others. Other basins are the [[Gulf of Paria]] and the [[Essequibo River|Esequibo River]].

The second most important watershed is the Caribbean Sea. The rivers of this region are usually short and of scarce and irregular flow, with some exceptions such as the [[Catatumbo River|Catatumbo]], which originates in [[Colombia]] and drains into the Maracaibo Lake basin. Among the rivers that reach the Maracaibo lake basin are the Chama, the Escalante, the Catatumbo, and the contributions of the smaller basins of the Tocuyo, Yaracuy, Neverí and Manzanares rivers.

A minimum drains to the Lake Valencia basin.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Affairs (U.S.)|first1=Institute of Inter-American|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yQI9AAAAYAAJ&q=Lake+Valencia+basin&pg=PA3|title=The Lake Valencia Region in Venezuela: A Special Report|last2=Peterson|first2=Lyall E.|date=1946|publisher=Institute of Inter-American Affairs, Food Supply Division|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032007/https://books.google.com/books?id=yQI9AAAAYAAJ&q=Lake+Valencia+basin&pg=PA3#v=snippet&q=Lake%20Valencia%20basin&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Of the total extension of the rivers, a total of 5400&nbsp;km are navigable. Other rivers worth mentioning are the Apure, Arauca, Caura, Meta, Barima, [[Portuguesa River|Portuguesa]], Ventuari and Zulia, among others.

[[File:Cerro Wichuj(Cara de Indio) (12111191594).jpg|thumb|Amazon [[rainforest]] and Autana River, [[Amazonas (Venezuela)|Amazonas]] state|250x250px]]
Venezuela's main lakes are Lake Maracaibo<ref>{{Cite book|last=Yegres|first=Ramón Santaella|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ZNEAAAAYAAJ&q=maracaibo+lake|title=La dinámica del espacio en la cuenca del Lago de Maracaibo, 1873-1940: y su proyeccion hasta el presente, 1980|date=1989|publisher=FACES-UCV, División de Publicaciones|isbn=978-980-00-0312-1|language=es|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129031902/https://books.google.com/books?id=9ZNEAAAAYAAJ&q=maracaibo+lake|url-status=live}}</ref> -the largest in South America- open to the sea through the natural channel, but with fresh water, and Lake Valencia with its endorheic system. Other noteworthy bodies of water are the [[Guri Reservoir|Guri reservoir]], the Altagracia lagoon, the Camatagua reservoir and the Mucubají lagoon in the Andes.

=== Relief ===
The Venezuelan natural [[landscape]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last1=Cárdenas|first1=Antonio Luis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nOgRAQAAIAAJ&q=relieve+de+venezuela+placas+tectonicas|title=Geografía de Venezuela|last2=Castillo|first2=Rubén Carpio|date=2000|publisher=Fondo Editorial de la Universidad Pedagógica Experimental Libertador|language=es|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032404/https://books.google.com/books?id=nOgRAQAAIAAJ&q=relieve+de+venezuela+placas+tectonicas|url-status=live}}</ref> is the product of the interaction of [[tectonic plates]]<ref name=":3" /> that since the [[Paleozoic]] have contributed to its current appearance. On the formed structures, seven physical-natural units have been modeled, differentiated in their relief and in their [[natural resources]].
[[File:Flores_para_la_Nieve.JPG|thumb|[[Bolívar Peak]], the highest mountain in Venezuela, in [[Sierra Nevada National Park (Venezuela)|Sierra Nevada de Mérida]]]]
The relief of Venezuela has the following characteristics: [[coastline]] with several peninsulas<ref>{{Cite book|last=Figueroa|first=Rosa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xo3eGMm-JdQC&pg=PA24|title=Agenda Geografica Venezuela|date=1995|publisher=Editorial Alfa|isbn=978-980-354-005-0|language=es|access-date=6 November 2022|archive-date=6 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044531/https://books.google.com/books?id=Xo3eGMm-JdQC&pg=PA24|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[islands]], adenas of the Andes mountain range (north and northwest), Lake Maracaibo (between the chains, on the coast);<ref name=":4" /> [[Orinoco river]] delta,<ref name=":5" /> region of [[peneplain]]s and plateaus (tepui, east of the Orinoco) that together form the Guyanas massif (plateaus, southeast of the country).

The oldest rock formations in South America are found in the complex basement of the Guyanas highlands<ref name=":6" /> and in the crystalline line of the Maritime and Cordillera massifs in Venezuela. The Venezuelan part of the Guyanas [[Altiplano]] consists of a large granite block of [[gneiss]] and other crystalline [[Archean]] rocks, with underlying layers of sandstone and shale clay.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Sojo|first1=Raúl|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWcsAQAAIAAJ|title=Venezuela al natural|last2=Castillo|first2=Horacio Biord|date=2009|publisher=Editorial Arte|isbn=978-980-6476-26-4|language=en|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=6 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044321/https://books.google.com/books?id=rWcsAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>

The core of [[granite]] and [[cordillera]] is, to a large extent, flanked by sedimentary layers from the [[Cretaceous]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BM4UAAAAIAAJ|title=Las Microfacies Del Cretaceo de Venezuela Occidental|publisher=Brill Archive|language=es|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=6 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044320/https://books.google.com/books?id=BM4UAAAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> folded in an [[anticline]] structure. Between these orographic systems there are plains covered with tertiary and quaternary layers of gravel, sands and clayey [[marl]]s. The depression contains lagoons and lakes, among which is that of [[Maracaibo]], and presents, on the surface, [[alluvium|alluvial]] deposits from the [[Quaternary]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Socorro|first=Orangel Antonio Aguilera|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kIBdAAAAMAAJ|title=Tesoros paleontológicos de Venezuela: el cuaternario del Estado Falcón|date=2006|publisher=Ministerio de la Cultura|isbn=978-980-12-1379-6|language=es|access-date=14 June 2021|archive-date=6 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044325/https://books.google.com/books?id=kIBdAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Venezuelan Coastal Range|Coastal Mountain Range]]
Also known as the Cordillera de la Costa, stretches along Venezuela's northern coast. This region is known for its lush tropical rainforests, stunning coastal views, and a rich variety of flora and fauna. The intermountain depressions, or valleys, between the mountain ranges are often home to fertile agricultural land and vibrant communities. These valleys offer a stark contrast to the rugged mountains that rise dramatically from the coast.
*[[Coro region|Lara-Falcón Highlands]]
[[File:La vegetación más abundante señala el canal de los ríos.jpg|thumb|Los Llanos, [[Apure state]]]]
Situated in northwestern Venezuela, the Lara-Falcón Highlands exhibit a terrain defined by plateaus and rolling hills. These highlands provide a significant contrast to the surrounding lowlands and coastal areas. The relief is characterized by gently sloping plateaus that support agriculture, including coffee and cacao cultivation. This region's semi-arid climate and picturesque landscapes make it an important agricultural and tourism center.
*[[Maracaibo Basin|Lake Maracaibo Lowlands]]
Encompass the basin of [[Lake Maracaibo]] and the plains surrounding the [[Gulf of Venezuela]]. This region offers two distinct plains—the northern one is relatively dry, while the southern one is humid and dotted with swamps. The relief here is primarily characterized by flat terrain, with the exception of some elevated areas near the lake. Lake Maracaibo itself sits in a depression, surrounded by oil-rich lands and productive agricultural areas.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|title = The Water Balance of the Lake Maracaibo Basin|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0p5AAQAAIAAJ|access-date = 25 December 2020|last1 = Carter|first1 = Douglas Broadmore|year = 1946|archive-date = 6 November 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044326/https://books.google.com/books?id=0p5AAQAAIAAJ|url-status = live}}</ref>
*[[Venezuelan Andes|The Andes]]
The Venezuelan Andes, part of the broader [[Andes]] mountain range, offer a striking relief with towering peaks, deep valleys, and fertile intermontane basins. Dominated by these corpulent mountain ranges, including Venezuela's highest peak, [[Bolívar Peak]], the region's rugged and picturesque landscapes are defined by its high-altitude terrain. 
[[File:Playa Grande in Choroni.jpg|thumb|247x247px|Coastal Mountain Range (''Cordillera de la Costa'') in Venezuela]]
The unique relief of this area finds its origins in the [[Last Glacial Period]], where the interplay of repeated glacier advances and retreats sculpted the landscape, shaped by the cold, high-altitude climate. This glacial heritage has left a lasting imprint, with glaciers carving deep valleys and polishing rugged peaks, while sheltered intramontane valleys offer fertile soils and temperate microclimates, creating ideal conditions for agriculture and human settlement.
*[[Venezuelan Llanos|Los Llanos]]
Los Llanos, or "the plains", are expansive sedimentary basins characterized by predominantly flat relief.<ref>{{cite web|title = Wild Scenes in South America|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hnAvAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA310|access-date = 25 December 2020|last1 = Páez|first1 = Ramón|year = 1863|archive-date = 6 November 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044322/https://books.google.com/books?id=hnAvAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA310|url-status = live}}</ref> However, the eastern Llanos feature low-plateaus and the Unare depression, created through mesa erosion, adding diversity to the terrain. This region is subject to seasonal flooding, transforming the flat plains into a vast wetland during the rainy season. The relief here influences the region's unique ecosystems, including extensive grasslands and abundant wildlife.
*[[File:Vuelo Santa Elena-Canaima (2004) 23.jpg|thumb|261x261px|Guayana natural region in Venezuela]] [[Guayana natural region|Guiana Shield]]
The Guiana Shield boasts a varied relief shaped by geological processes over millions of years. This region encompasses peneplains, rugged mountain ranges, foothills, and the iconic [[tepuis]], or table-top mountains. The tepuis stand as isolated, flat-topped plateaus that rise dramatically from the surrounding terrain. This unique relief contributes to the region's remarkable biodiversity and scientific significance.<ref name=":6">{{cite book|title = Tropical Forests of the Guiana Shield|isbn = 978-1-84593-092-9|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mE88S0O6RbsC&q=Guiana+Shield+venezuela&pg=PA46|access-date = 25 December 2020|last1 = Hammond|first1 = D. S.|year = 2005|archive-date = 29 November 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032523/https://books.google.com/books?id=mE88S0O6RbsC&q=Guiana+Shield+venezuela&pg=PA46#v=snippet&q=Guiana%20Shield%20venezuela&f=false|url-status = live}}</ref>
*[[Orinoco Delta]]
The Orinoco Delta's relief is characterized by a complex system of lands and waters. It consists of numerous channels, islands, and shifting sedimentary deposits. While the relief may appear relatively uniform, it conceals a dynamic environment influenced by seasonal flooding and sediment deposition. This complex deltaic relief supports diverse aquatic life and the livelihoods of Indigenous communities adapted to its ever-changing landscapes.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|title = Organic Geochemistry of the Orinoco Delta, Venezuela|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YPrkAAAAMAAJ|access-date = 25 December 2020|last1 = Nwachukwu|first1 = Joseph Iheanacho|year = 1981|archive-date = 6 November 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221106044324/https://books.google.com/books?id=YPrkAAAAMAAJ|url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Valleys ===
[[File:Valle de Mifafí 2.jpg|Valle de Mifafí, [[Mérida State]]|thumb]]
The valleys are undoubtedly the most important type of [[landscape]] in the Venezuelan territory,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rojas|first=Arístides|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=abMvAQAAMAAJ&q=valles+de+venezuela|title=Primer libro de geografía de Venezuela según Codazzi|date=1897|publisher=Santana y cia|language=es|access-date=7 June 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032524/https://books.google.com/books?id=abMvAQAAMAAJ&q=valles+de+venezuela#v=snippet&q=valles%20de%20venezuela&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> not because of their spatial extension, but because they are the environment where most of the country's population and economic activities are concentrated. On the other hand, there are valleys throughout almost all the national space, except in the great sedimentary basins of the Llanos and the depression of the [[Maracaibo Lake]], except also in the Amazonian peneplains.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Zinck|first=Alfred|title=Valles de Venezuela|url=https://library.wur.nl/isric/fulltext/isricu_i00006627_001.pdf|access-date=7 June 2021|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607184129/https://library.wur.nl/isric/fulltext/isricu_i00006627_001.pdf}}</ref> By their modeling, the valleys of the Venezuelan territory belong mainly to two types: valleys of [[fluvial]] type and valleys of [[glacial]] type.<ref>{{Cite book|last=A|first=América Bracho|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N9o7AAAAYAAJ&q=valles+de+venezuela|title=Geografía de Venezuela: III año|date=1984|publisher=Ediciones CO-BO|language=es|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032406/https://books.google.com/books?id=N9o7AAAAYAAJ&q=valles+de+venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> Much more frequent, the former largely dominate the latter, which are restricted to the highest parts of the Andes. Moreover, most glacial valleys are relics of a past geologic epoch, which culminated some 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.

The deep and narrow Andean valleys are very different from the wide depressions of [[Aragua]] and Carabobo, in the [[Venezuelan Coastal Range|Cordillera de la Costa]], or from the valleys nestled in the Mesas de [[Monagas]]. These examples indicate that the configuration of the local relief is decisive in identifying regional types of valleys. Likewise, due to their warm climate, the Guayana valleys are distinguished from the temperate or cold [[Andes|Andean valleys]] by their humid environment. Both are, in turn, different from the semi-arid depressions of the states of Lara and Falcón.

The Andean valleys, essentially agricultural, precociously populated but nowadays in loss of speed, do not confront the same problems of space occupation as the strongly urbanized and industrialized valleys of the central section of the Cordillera de la Costa. On the other hand, the unpopulated and practically untouched [[The Guianas|Guiana]] valleys are another category this area is called the Lost World (''Mundo Perdido'').<ref name=":1" />

The Andean valleys are undoubtedly the most impressive of the Venezuelan territory because of the energy of the encasing reliefs, whose summits often dominate the valley bottoms by 3,000 to 3,500 [[meters]] of relative [[altitude]]. They are also the most picturesque in terms of their style of habitat, forms of land use, [[handicraft]] production and all the traditions linked to these activities.<ref name=":1" />

=== Deserts ===
[[File:Medanos de Coro Falcon.jpg|thumb|[[Médanos de Coro National Park]], [[Paraguaná Peninsula]], [[Falcón|Falcón State]], Venezuela]]

Venezuela has a great diversity of landscapes and climates,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wBe4AAAAIAAJ&q=Venezuela+has+a+great+diversity+of+landscapes+and+climates|title=The Latin America & Caribbean Review|date=1986|publisher=World of Information|isbn=978-0-904439-55-7|language=en|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032522/https://books.google.com/books?id=wBe4AAAAIAAJ&q=Venezuela+has+a+great+diversity+of+landscapes+and+climates|url-status=live}}</ref> including arid and dry areas. The main [[desert]] in the country is in the state of Falcon near the city of Coro. It is now a protected park, the [[Médanos de Coro National Park]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Baño|first=Adrián Hernández|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BolrAAAAMAAJ&q=Venezuela+medanos+de+coro|title=Secretos de los Médanos de Coro|date=1986|publisher=Instituto de Cultura del Estado Falcón|isbn=978-980-6081-09-3|language=es|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032406/https://books.google.com/books?id=BolrAAAAMAAJ&q=Venezuela+medanos+de+coro|url-status=live}}</ref> The park is the largest of its kind in Venezuela, covering 91 square kilometres. The landscape is dotted with cacti and other xerophytic plants that can survive in humidity-free conditions near the desert.

Desert wildlife includes mostly lizards, [[iguanas]] and other reptiles. Although less frequent, the desert is home to some foxes, giant anteaters and rabbits. There are also some native bird populations, such as the sparrowhawk, tropical mockingbird, scaly dove and crested quail.

Other desert areas in the country include part of the Guajira Desert in the Guajira Municipality in the north of Zulia State<ref>{{Cite book|last=Salazar-Quijada|first=Adolfo|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuIKAQAAIAAJ&q=Venezuela+guajira+venezolana|title=Toponimia de la Guajira venezolana|date=1971|publisher=Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas, Seminario de Lenguas Indígenas|language=es|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032407/https://books.google.com/books?id=FuIKAQAAIAAJ&q=Venezuela+guajira+venezolana|url-status=live}}</ref> and facing the [[Gulf of Venezuela]], the Médanos de Capanaparo<ref>{{Cite book|last=Colombo-Venezolanos|first=Venezuela Comisión Presidencial para Asuntos Fronterizos|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MVOzAAAAIAAJ&q=M%C3%A9danos+de+Capanaparo|title=Apure: diagnostico y estrategias de desarrollo fronterizo|date=1993|publisher=La Comisión|isbn=978-980-03-0130-2|language=es|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032523/https://books.google.com/books?id=MVOzAAAAIAAJ&q=M%C3%A9danos+de+Capanaparo|url-status=live}}</ref> in the Santos Luzardo National Park in [[Apure State]], the Medanos de la Isla de Zapara<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hidrocarburos|first=Venezuela Ministerio de Minas e|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4IalPfsEpFsC&q=M%C3%A9danos+de+zapara|title=Memoria - Ministerio de Minas e Hidrocarburos|date=1962|publisher=El Ministerio.|language=es|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032905/https://books.google.com/books?id=4IalPfsEpFsC&q=M%C3%A9danos+de+zapara|url-status=live}}</ref> in Zulia State, the so-called Hundición de Yay<ref>{{Cite book|last=Léidenz|first=Misael Salazar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=spASAQAAIAAJ&q=Hundici%C3%B3n+de+Yay|title=Venezuela en la magia, el mito y la leyenda|date=2001|publisher=Editorial Guaraira Repano|isbn=978-980-07-8548-5|language=es|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032915/https://books.google.com/books?id=spASAQAAIAAJ&q=Hundici%C3%B3n+de+Yay|url-status=live}}</ref> in the Andrés Eloy Blanco Municipality of Lara State, and the Urumaco Formation also in Falcón State.

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Government of Venezuela|Cabinet of Venezuela|Politics of Venezuela|Elections in Venezuela|Democracy in Venezuela}}
{{Multiple image
| direction         = horizontal
| align             = right
| caption_align     = center
| total_width       = 260
| image1            = Nicolás Maduro 2023 (cropped2).jpg
| caption1          = [[Nicolás Maduro]]<br /><small>[[President of Venezuela|President]] </small>
| image2            = Delcy Rodriguez June 2016 (27571633682) (cropped).jpg
| caption2          = [[Delcy Rodríguez]]<br /><small>[[Vice President of Venezuela|Vice President]] </small>
}}
[[File:LegislativoCentro.jpg|thumb|The [[National Assembly of Venezuela]] [[Palacio Federal Legislativo|building]]]]
Two major blocs of [[List of political parties in Venezuela|political parties]] are in Venezuela: the incumbent leftist bloc [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] (PSUV), its major allies [[Fatherland for All]] (PPT) and the [[Communist Party of Venezuela]] (PCV), and the opposition bloc grouped into the electoral coalition [[Mesa de la Unidad Democrática]]. This includes [[A New Era]] (UNT) together with allied parties [[Project Venezuela]], [[Justice First]], [[Movement for Socialism (Venezuela)|Movement for Socialism]] (MAS) and others.

The Venezuelan president is elected by a vote, with direct and [[universal suffrage]], and is both [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. The term of office is six years. As of February 2009, a president may be re-elected an unlimited number of times. The president appoints the vice president and decides the size and composition of the cabinet and makes appointments to it with the involvement of the legislature. The president can ask the legislature to reconsider portions of laws he finds objectionable, but a simple parliamentary majority can override these objections.

The president may ask the National Assembly to pass an [[Enabling act#In Venezuela|enabling act]] granting the ability to [[rule by decree]] in specified policy areas. This requires a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. Since 1959, six Venezuelan presidents have been granted such powers.

The [[unicameral]] Venezuelan parliament is the ''Asamblea Nacional'' ("National Assembly"). The number of members is variable – each state and the Capital district elect three representatives, plus the result of dividing the state population by 1.1% of the population of the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ley Orgánica de Procesos Electorales|url=http://www.cne.gov.ve/web/normativa_electoral/ley_organica_procesos_electorales/titulo2.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929053531/http://www.cne.gov.ve/web/normativa_electoral/ley_organica_procesos_electorales/titulo2.php|archive-date=29 September 2010|publisher=Consejo Nacional Electoral|access-date=4 April 2011|language=es}}</ref> Three seats are reserved for representatives of Venezuela's Indigenous peoples. For the 2011–2016 period the number of seats is 165.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dos mil 719 candidatos se disputarán los curules de la Asamblea Nacional|url=http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/37227|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510075036/http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/37227|archive-date=10 May 2011|publisher=Venezolana de Televisión|access-date=4 April 2011|date=10 June 2010|language=es}}</ref> All deputies serve five-year terms.

The voting age in Venezuela is 18. Voting is not [[compulsory voting|compulsory]].<ref name="TG">{{cite news |first=Elliot |last=Frankal |title=Compulsory voting around the world |date=4 July 2005 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jul/04/voterapathy.uk |archive-date=10 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010234313/http://politics.guardian.co.uk/apathy/story/0,,1521096,00.html |url-status=live |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=10 March 2007}}</ref>

The [[Law of Venezuela|legal system of Venezuela]] belongs to the [[Civil law (legal system)|Continental Law]] tradition. The highest [[judiciary|judicial]] body is the [[Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Venezuela)|Supreme Tribunal of Justice]] or ''Tribunal Supremo de Justicia'', whose magistrates are elected by parliament for a single twelve-year term. The [[National Electoral Council (Venezuela)|National Electoral Council]] (''Consejo Nacional Electoral'', or ''CNE'') is in charge of electoral processes. It is formed by five main directors elected by the National Assembly. Supreme Court president Luisa Estela Morales said in December 2009 that Venezuela had moved away from "a rigid division of powers" toward a system characterized by "intense coordination" between the branches of government. Morales clarified that each power must be independent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elinformador.com.ve/noticias/venezuela/poder-judicial/luisa-estela-morales-afirma-division-poderes-debilita-estado/8397|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325094828/http://www.elinformador.com.ve/noticias/venezuela/poder-judicial/luisa-estela-morales-afirma-division-poderes-debilita-estado/8397|archive-date=25 March 2010|title=Luisa Estela Morales afirma que la división de poderes debilita al Estado|date=5 December 2009|publisher=El Informador|access-date=16 January 2010|language=es}}</ref>

In 2006, the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] rated Venezuela an [[hybrid regime]] and the third least [[Democracy in the Americas|democratic regime in Latin America]] on the [[Democracy Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=DemocracyIndex12 |title=Democracy Index 2012 |website=www.eiu.com |access-date=4 April 2021 |archive-date=19 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519022602/https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=DemocracyIndex12 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Democracy Index downgraded Venezuela to an [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian regime]] in 2017, citing continued increasingly dictatorial behaviors by the Maduro government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/Democracy_Index_2017.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRKbU1HWmxNVEUwTW1FdyIsInQiOiJPdlltVFV0blFRQzZNVERCZHhVeitZRElmUGplOHh3NWs1d2wzVzdRS1JvNU1kVmUxQVRESU9LbEVSOVwvR1F4aG1PV1NlS0ZZcng4NzBcLzVNZ09JOUxiZU5TTEVPekVHayttOTRqQkQ5TkNzWGN08RlowQTZ0UzlUK0pDdm9PVGlcLyJ9|title=Democracy Index 2017|access-date=5 April 2021|archive-date=19 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182057/http://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/Democracy_Index_2017.pdf?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRKbU1HWmxNVEUwTW1FdyIsInQiOiJPdlltVFV0blFRQzZNVERCZHhVeitZRElmUGplOHh3NWs1d2wzVzdRS1JvNU1kVmUxQVRESU9LbEVSOVwvR1F4aG1PV1NlS0ZZcng4NzBcLzVNZ09JOUxiZU5TTEVPekVHayttOTRqQkQ5TkNzWGN08RlowQTZ0UzlUK0pDdm9PVGlcLyJ9|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[V-Dem Democracy Indices#Regimes of the World|Regimes of the World]] index rated Venezuela as an [[electoral autocracy]] in 2024.<ref name="j496">{{cite web | title=Democracy Report 2025, 25 Years of Autocratization – Democracy Trumped? | url=https://v-dem.net/documents/54/v-dem_dr_2025_lowres_v1.pdf | access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|States of Venezuela|Regions of Venezuela}}
[[File:Localizador Politico de Venezuela.svg|thumb|A map of the Venezuelan federation]]

Venezuela is divided into 23 states (''estados''), a capital district (''distrito capital'') for Caracas, and the Federal Dependencies (''Dependencias Federales'', a special territory). Venezuela is subdivided into 335 municipalities (''municipios''). These are subdivided into over one thousand parishes (''parroquias''). The states are grouped into nine administrative regions (''regiones administrativas''), which were established in 1969 by presidential decree.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Venezuela can be further divided into ten geographical areas, some corresponding to climatic and biogeographical regions. In the north are the [[Venezuelan Andes]]. The [[Coro region]], a mountainous tract in the northwest, holds several [[Mountain range|sierras]] and valleys. East of it are lowlands abutting [[Lake Maracaibo]] and the [[Gulf of Venezuela]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

The [[Cordillera de la Costa Central|Central Range]] runs parallel to the coast and includes the hills surrounding [[Caracas]]; the Eastern Range, separated from the Central Range by the [[Gulf of Cariaco]], covers all of [[Sucre (state)|Sucre]] and northern [[Monagas]]. The [[Insular Region (Venezuela)|Insular Region]] includes all of Venezuela's island possessions: [[Nueva Esparta]] and the various [[Federal Dependencies]]. The Orinoco Delta, which forms a triangle covering [[Delta Amacuro]], projects northeast into the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Orinoco River {{!}} Physical Features & People {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Orinoco-River |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Venezuela maintains a claim on the territory it calls "Guayana Esequiba", the territory administered by Guyana west of the Esequibo River. In 1966, the British and Venezuelan governments signed the Geneva Agreement to resolve the conflict peacefully.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agreement to Resolve the Controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the Frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana |url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20561/volume-561-I-8192-English.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116234853/http://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%20561/volume-561-I-8192-English.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=25 January 2025 |website=United Nations}}</ref> The Port of Spain Protocol of 1970 set a deadline to try to resolve the issue, without success to date.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

{{Political subdivisions of Venezuela}}
{{Clear|left}}

=== Suspension of constitutional rights ===
[[File:Venezuela protests against the Nicolas Maduro government, Altamira Square 6.JPG|thumb|Protests in [[Altamira (Caracas)|Altamira]], Caracas, 2014]]
{{See also|Censorship in Venezuela}}
The [[2015 Venezuelan parliamentary election|2015 parliamentary elections]] were held on 6 December 2015 to elect the 164 deputies and three Indigenous representatives of the National Assembly. In 2014, a series of protest and demonstrations began in Venezuela, attributed{{by whom|date=May 2019}} to inflation, violence and shortages in Venezuela. The protests were largely peaceful.<ref name= SVCOprotestINFO>{{cite news|title=Protestas aumentan 278% en primer semestre 2014|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|access-date=9 April 2015| website= LaPatilla.com |date=17 July 2014|language=es|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141120/http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/07/17/protestas-aumentan-278-en-primer-semestre-2014/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2023}} The government has accused the protest of being motivated by [[fascists]], opposition leaders, capitalism and foreign influence,<ref name=Milne>{{cite news|last=Milne|first=Seumas|title=Venezuela protests are sign that US wants our oil, says Nicolás Maduro| url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=9 April 2015|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210811062534/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/08/venezuela-protests-sign-us-wants-oil-says-nicolas-maduro|url-status=live}}</ref> President Maduro acknowledged [[PSUV]] defeat but attributed the opposition's victory to an intensification of an economic war. Despite this, Maduro said, "I will stop by hook or by crook the opposition coming to power, whatever the costs, in any way".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolás Maduro: 'Impediré por las buenas o por las malas que la oposición llegue al poder'|url=http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Nicolas-Maduro-Impedire-oposicion-llegue_0_4408059274.html|website=La Prensa|date=4 February 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016|language=es|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160321052435/http://www.prensa.com/mundo/Nicolas-Maduro-Impedire-oposicion-llegue_0_4408059274.html|archive-date=21 March 2016}}</ref> 

In the following months, Maduro fulfilled his promise of preventing the elected National Assembly from legislating. The first steps taken by PSUV and government were the substitution of the entire [[Supreme Court of Venezuela|Supreme Court]] a day after the parliamentary elections,<ref name="prodavinci.com">{{cite web|title=La designación de magistrados del TSJ por la AN. ¿Fraude Constitucional?|url= http://prodavinci.com/blogs/puede-la-asamblea-nacional-designar-magistrados-del-tsj-por-jose-ignacio-hernandez-g/ |website= ProDavinci.com |access-date=14 May 2016| archive-date=21 August 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160821221725/http://prodavinci.com/blogs/puede-la-asamblea-nacional-designar-magistrados-del-tsj-por-jose-ignacio-hernandez-g/|url-status=live}}</ref> contrary to the [[Constitution of Venezuela]], acclaimed as a fraud by the majority of the Venezuelan and international press.<ref name="larazon.net">{{cite web|title=Designaciones de magistrados son un fraude a la Constitución| url= http://www.larazon.net/2015/12/22/alberto-arteaga-sanchez-designaciones-de-magistrados-son-un-fraude-a-la-constitucion/|website=La razón|date=22 December 2015| language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160604021540/http://www.larazon.net/2015/12/22/alberto-arteaga-sanchez-designaciones-de-magistrados-son-un-fraude-a-la-constitucion/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="el-nacional.com">{{cite web|title= Designación de magistrados obvió fase de impugnación|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Designacion-magistrados-obvio-fasede-impugnacion_0_766123536.html|website=El Nacional|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508161057/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Designacion-magistrados-obvio-fasede-impugnacion_0_766123536.html|archive-date=8 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="bbc.com">{{cite web|title=Por qué importan tanto los magistrados que designó el chavismo en Venezuela| url= http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/12/151222_venezuela_tsj_magistrados_dp|website=BBC.com| date=23 December 2015|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=18 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318074402/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2015/12/151222_venezuela_tsj_magistrados_dp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ntn24web.com">{{cite web|title=Designación de magistrados del TSJ en Vzla es un "flagrante fraude" a la Constitución|url=http://ntn24web.com/video/paso-a-vzla-chavismo-designo-nuevos-magistrados-83200|website=NTN24|access-date=14 May 2016|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616182412/http://ntn24web.com/video/paso-a-vzla-chavismo-designo-nuevos-magistrados-83200|archive-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' described the function of the Supreme Court in Venezuela as "rubber stamping executive whims and vetoing legislation".<ref name="broken system">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/e619b1f6-2805-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/e619b1f6-2805-11e7-bc4b-5528796fe35c |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access= subscription|title=Venezuela's broken system|last=Lansberg-Rodriguez| first=Daniel| date=2 April 2017|website=The Financial Times|page=11|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> The PSUV government used this violation to suspend several elected opponents.<ref>{{cite web|title=El Supremo suspende la proclamación de tres diputados opositores y uno chavista |url= http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2015/12/31/5685209422601d9c788b4641.html|website=elmundo.es|date=31 December 2015|publisher=Unidad Editorial| language= es|access-date=15 May 2016|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160604131405/http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2015/12/31/5685209422601d9c788b4641.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Maduro said that "the Amnesty law (approved by the Parliament) will not be executed" and asked the Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maduro pide al TSJ declarar 'inconstitucional' la Ley de Amnistía| url= http://elestimulo.com/blog/maduro-sobre-amnistia-tenemos-que-garantizar-que-esta-ley-sea-detenida/|website=El Estímulo|language=es|access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160409201537/http://elestimulo.com/blog/maduro-sobre-amnistia-tenemos-que-garantizar-que-esta-ley-sea-detenida/|archive-date=9 April 2016}}</ref>

On 16 January 2016, Maduro approved an unconstitutional economic emergency decree,<ref>{{cite web|title=Decreto de emergencia económica no puede pasar del 12 de mayo|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Decreto-emergencia-economica-puede-pasar_0_793720683.html|website=El Nacional|access-date=14 May 2016 |language=es|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610160317/http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Decreto-emergencia-economica-puede-pasar_0_793720683.html| archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref> relegating to his own figure the legislative and executive powers, while also holding judiciary power through the fraudulent designation of judges the day after the election on 6 December 2015.<ref name="prodavinci.com" /><ref name="larazon.net" /><ref name="el-nacional.com" /><ref name="ntn24web.com" /> From these events, Maduro effectively controls all three branches of government. On 14 May 2016, constitutional guarantees were suspended when Maduro decreed the extension of the economic emergency decree for another 60 days and declared a State of Emergency,<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolás Maduro decreta un nuevo Estado de Excepción y de Emergencia Económica en Venezuela|url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/05/160513_venezuela_maduro_emergencia_economica_ps|website=BBC.com |date=14 May 2016|access-date=14 May 2016|page=Spanish|archive-date=15 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515114211/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/05/160513_venezuela_maduro_emergencia_economica_ps|url-status=live}}</ref> which is a clear violation of the Constitution of Venezuela<ref>{{cite web| title= Prorroga del Decreto Emergencia Económica es inconstitucional |url= http://enpaiszeta.com/marquina-prorroga-del-decreto-emergencia-economica-es-inconstitucional/ |website=El Nuevo País|access-date=14 May 2016 |language=es| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160605124340/http://enpaiszeta.com/marquina-prorroga-del-decreto-emergencia-economica-es-inconstitucional/|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> in the Article 338th: "The approval of the extension of States of emergency corresponds to the National Assembly." Thus, constitutional rights in Venezuela are considered suspended by many publications<ref>{{cite web |title= La ruptura democrática de Venezuela| url=http://runrun.es/opinion/261798/la-ruptura-democratica-de-venezuela-por-asdrubal-aguiar.html |website= RunRunes.es |date=14 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016 |language=es|archive-date=15 May 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160515102351/http://runrun.es/opinion/261798/la-ruptura-democratica-de-venezuela-por-asdrubal-aguiar.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=La dictadura venezolana invitó al podemita que irá a la cárcel por pegar a un socialista|url=http://okdiario.com/espana/la-dictadura-venezolana-invito-al-podemita-que-ira-a-la-carcel-por-pegar-a-un-socialista-98237|website=OK Diario|date=30 March 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504115310/http://okdiario.com/espana/la-dictadura-venezolana-invito-al-podemita-que-ira-a-la-carcel-por-pegar-a-un-socialista-98237|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=La dictadura venezolana reafirma su naturaleza|url=http://eju.tv/2016/04/la-dictadura-venezolana-reafirma-naturaleza/|website=Eju.tv|date=18 April 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language= es| archive-date=1 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160501233503/http://eju.tv/2016/04/la-dictadura-venezolana-reafirma-naturaleza/|url-status=live}}</ref> and public figures.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expresidentes denuncian ruptura del orden constitucional y democrático en Venezuela|url=http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2016/05/expresidentes-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-y-democratico-en-venezuela/|website=Venezuela al día|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514115819/http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2016/05/expresidentes-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-y-democratico-en-venezuela/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opositores denuncian 'ruptura del orden constitucional' en Venezuela |url= http://www.elpais.cr/2016/05/10/opositores-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-en-venezuela/|website=El País|date=11 May 2016|access-date=15 May 2016 |language=es|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160512104327/http://www.elpais.cr/2016/05/10/opositores-denuncian-ruptura-del-orden-constitucional-en-venezuela/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela es una dictadura que no representa la división de poderes|url=http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/venezuela-una-dictadura-que-respeta-division-poderes-110967|website=El Salvador|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530153407/http://www.elsalvador.com/articulo/internacional/venezuela-una-dictadura-que-respeta-division-poderes-110967| archive-date=30 May 2016}}</ref>

On 14 May 2016, the [[Organization of American States]] was considering the application of the [[Inter-American Democratic Charter]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Jefe de la OEA estudia invocar Carta Democrática por Venezuela |url=http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/04/28/internacionales/2026877-jefe-de-la-oea-estudia-invocar-carta-democratica-por-venezuela|website=La Prensa|date=29 April 2016|access-date=15 May 2016|language=es|archive-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502095654/http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/04/28/internacionales/2026877-jefe-de-la-oea-estudia-invocar-carta-democratica-por-venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> sanctions for non-compliance to its own constitution.

In March 2017, the Venezuelan Supreme Court took over law making powers from the National Assembly<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39449494|title=Venezuela 'coup': Alarm grows as court takes power|date=3 March 2017|work=BBC.co.uk |access-date=31 March 2017|archive-date=13 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213023216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39449494|url-status=live}}</ref> but reversed its decision the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Venezuela: Supreme court backtracks on powers bid|date=1 April 2017|work=BBC.co.uk|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045|access-date=1 April 2017|archive-date=1 April 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170401134427/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-39468045|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Venezuela}}
[[File:Guayana_Esequiba_(zona_completa).png|thumb|The [[Guyana–Venezuela territorial dispute|disputed "Guayana Esequiba" claim area]] is a territory administered by [[Guyana]] and historically claimed by Venezuela.]]

Throughout most of the 20th century, Venezuela maintained friendly relations with most Latin American and Western nations. Relations between Venezuela and the United States government worsened in 2002, after the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt during which the U.S. government recognized the short-lived interim presidency of [[Pedro Carmona]]. In 2015, Venezuela was declared a national security threat by U.S. president [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela-idUSKBN0M51NS20150309|title=U.S. declares Venezuela a national security threat, sanctions top officials|work=Reuters|access-date=26 April 2015|date=9 March 2015|archive-date=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415154549/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/09/us-usa-venezuela-idUSKBN0M51NS20150309|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2377482&CategoryId=10717|title=Latin American Herald Tribune – US Announces New Executive Order Sanctions on Venezuela – Declares "National Emergency"|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=25 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325144202/http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=10717&ArticleId=2377482}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article13087994.html|title=Amid deteriorating relations, Washington turns screws on Venezuela|website=miamiherald|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=6 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406211611/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article13087994.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Correspondingly, ties to various Latin American and [[Middle East]]ern countries not allied to the U.S. have strengthened.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Venezuela seeks alternative [[Western Hemisphere|hemispheric]] integration via such proposals as the [[Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas]] trade proposal and the newly launched Latin American television network [[teleSUR]]. Venezuela is one of five nations in the world—along with Russia, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria—to have recognized the independence of [[International recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia|Abkhazia and South Ossetia]]. Venezuela was a proponent of [[Organization of American States|OAS]]'s decision to adopt its Anti-Corruption Convention<ref>{{cite book|title=Political Risk Yearbook: South America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ascdAQAAMAAJ&q=%22championed%20the%20OAS%20decision%22|year=1999|publisher=Frost & Sullivan|page=34|isbn = 978-1-931077-59-0|quote=Venezuela worked closely with its neighbors following the 1997 Summit of the Americas in many areas—particularly energy integration—and championed the OAS decision to adopt an Anti-Corruption Convention.}}</ref> and is actively working in the [[Mercosur]] trade bloc to push increased trade and energy integration. Globally, it seeks a "[[polarity in international relations|multi-polar]]" world based on strengthened ties among undeveloped countries.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

[[File:XIV cumbre del ALBA-TCP.jpg|thumb|left|President Maduro among other Latin American leaders participating in a 2017 [[ALBA]] gathering]]

On 26 April 2017, Venezuela announced its intention to withdraw from the OAS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39726605|title=Venezuela to withdraw from OAS as deadly protests continue|date=2 April 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427020244/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39726605|url-status=live}}</ref> Venezuelan Foreign Minister [[Delcy Rodríguez]] said that President [[Nicolás Maduro]] plans to publicly renounce Venezuela's membership on 27 April 2017. It will take two years for the country to formally leave. During this period, the country does not plan on participating in the OAS.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuela-protesters-hit-by-tear-gas-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-government/2017/04/26/c6fbdcaa-29ee-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|title=Venezuela says it will quit Organization of American States|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=27 April 2017|archive-date=27 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427010200/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuela-protesters-hit-by-tear-gas-vow-to-keep-pressure-on-government/2017/04/26/c6fbdcaa-29ee-11e7-9081-f5405f56d3e4_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Venezuela is involved in a long-standing disagreement about the control of the [[Guayana Esequiba]] area.

Venezuela may suffer a deterioration of its power in international affairs if the global [[energy transition|transition to renewable energy]] is completed. It is ranked 151 out of 156 countries in the index of Geopolitical Gains and Losses after energy transition (GeGaLo).<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Overland|first1=Indra|last2=Bazilian|first2=Morgan|last3=Ilimbek Uulu|first3=Talgat|last4=Vakulchuk|first4=Roman |last5=Westphal|first5=Kirsten|date=2019|title=The GeGaLo index: Geopolitical gains and losses after energy transition|journal=Energy Strategy Reviews|volume=26|article-number=100406|doi=10.1016/j.esr.2019.100406|doi-access=free|bibcode=2019EneSR..2600406O |hdl=11250/2634876|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

Venezuela is a charter member of the [[United Nations]] (UN), [[Organization of American States]] (OAS), [[Union of South American Nations]] (UNASUR), [[ALBA|Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America]] (ALBA), [[Mercosur]], [[Latin American Integration Association]] (LAIA) and [[Organization of Ibero-American States]] (OEI).

=== Military ===
{{See also|National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela}}
[[File:Venezuelan Air Force Sukhoi SU-30MK2 AADPR-2.jpg|thumb|A [[Sukhoi Su-30]]MKV of the Venezuelan Air Force]]
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (''Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana'', FANB) are the unified military forces of Venezuela. It includes over 320,150 men and women, under Article 328 of the Constitution, in five components of ground, sea and air. The components of the FANB are: the [[Venezuelan Army]], the [[Venezuelan Navy]], the [[Venezuelan Air Force]], the [[Venezuelan National Guard]], and the [[Venezuelan National Militia]]. {{As of|2008}}, a further 600,000 soldiers were incorporated into a new branch, known as the Armed Reserve.

The president of Venezuela is the [[commander-in-chief]] of the FANB. Its main purposes are to defend the sovereign national territory of Venezuela, airspace, and islands, fight against drug trafficking, search and rescue and, in the case of a natural disaster, civil protection. All male citizens of Venezuela have a constitutional duty to register for the military service at 18, which is the [[age of majority]].

=== Law and crime ===
{{Main|Law of Venezuela|Crime in Venezuela}}
{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 330
| align             = right
| image1            = 1998 to 2018 Venezuela Murder Rate.png
| image2            = Number of kidnappings in Venezuela 1989 to present (Presidents).png
| caption1          = The murder rate per 100,000 citizens, 1998 to 2018.
<br />Sources: OVV,<ref>{{cite web|title=Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia |url=http://observatoriodeviolencia.org.ve/ws/ |website=Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia |access-date=16 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216122638/http://observatoriodeviolencia.org.ve/ws/ |archive-date=16 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="FUSIONmr">{{cite news|last1=Rueda|first1=Manuel|title=How Did Venezuela Become So Violent?n|url=http://fusion.net/story/4593/how-did-venezuela-become-so-violent/|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=Fusion TV|date=8 January 2014|archive-date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231035326/http://fusion.net/story/4593/how-did-venezuela-become-so-violent/}}</ref> PROVEA,<ref name="UNODC2011">{{cite web|title=GLOBAL STUDY ON HOMICIDE 2011|url=http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/Homicide/Globa_study_on_homicide_2011_web.pdf|website=UNODC|access-date=16 December 2014|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010641/http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/Homicide/Globa_study_on_homicide_2011_web.pdf%0A|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="UNODC2014">{{cite web|title=GLOBAL STUDY ON HOMICIDE 2014|url=http://www.unodc.org/documents/gsh/pdfs/2014_GLOBAL_HOMICIDE_BOOK_web.pdf|website=UNODC|access-date=16 December 2014|archive-date=22 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722011654/https://www.unodc.org/documents/gsh/pdfs/2014_GLOBAL_HOMICIDE_BOOK_web.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> UN<ref name="UNODC2011" /><ref name="UNODC2014" /><ref name="AFP2012">{{cite news|title=Global homicide rates drop, but nearly 500,000 murdered in 2012|url=https://news.yahoo.com/global-homicide-rates-drop-nearly-500-000-murdered-143539493.html|access-date=16 December 2014|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=10 December 2014|archive-date=6 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106022136/https://news.yahoo.com/global-homicide-rates-drop-nearly-500-000-murdered-143539493.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br /> '''*''' UN line between 2007 and 2012 is simulated missing data.
| caption2          = The number of kidnappings in Venezuela 1989–2011.<br />Source: [[Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas|CICPC]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oas.org/dsp/documentos/Publicaciones/Seg%20Publica-%20Venezuela%20y%20Bolivia.pdf |title=SeguridadPúblicayPrivada VenezuelayBolivia |date=August 2009 |publisher=Oas.org |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010114507/http://www.oas.org/dsp/documentos/Publicaciones/Seg%20Publica-%20Venezuela%20y%20Bolivia.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CICPC2009">{{cite web |url=http://issuu.com/lexys/docs/fact_sheet_paz_activa/1 |title=Venezuela: Gravísima Crisis de Seguridad Pública by Lexys Rendon |date=12 September 2011 |publisher=ISSUU.com |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012090810/https://issuu.com/lexys/docs/fact_sheet_paz_activa/1 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eluniversal.com/sucesos/120104/segun-el-cicpc-el-2011-cerro-con-1150-secuestros-en-todo-el-pais |title=Según el Cicpc el 2011 cerró con 1.150 secuestros en todo el país – Sucesos |publisher=Eluniversal.com |date=4 January 2012 |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108102223/http://www.eluniversal.com/sucesos/120104/segun-el-cicpc-el-2011-cerro-con-1150-secuestros-en-todo-el-pais |archive-date=8 January 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />'''*''' [[Express kidnapping]]s may not be included in data.
}}

In Venezuela, a person is murdered every 21 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Castillo|first=Mariano|title=Beauty queen's killers nabbed, Venezuela says|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/americas/monica-spear-venezuela-beauty-queen-killed/|access-date=10 January 2014|newspaper=CNN|date=9 January 2014|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221100911/http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/americas/monica-spear-venezuela-beauty-queen-killed/|url-status=live}}</ref> Violent crimes have been so prevalent in Venezuela that the government no longer produces the crime data.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gallegos|first=Raul|title=Miss Venezuela's Murder Is the Price of Politics|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-10/miss-venezuela-s-murder-is-the-price-of-politics.html|access-date=10 January 2014|work=[[Bloomberg.com]]|date=10 January 2014|archive-date=27 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127115104/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-10/miss-venezuela-s-murder-is-the-price-of-politics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the homicide rate was approximately 79 per 100,000, one of the world's highest, having quadrupled in the past 15 years with over 200,000 people murdered.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rueda|first=Manuel|title=How Did Venezuela Become So Violent?|url=http://fusion.net/leadership/story/venezuela-violent-iraq-365361|publisher=Fusion|access-date=10 January 2014|archive-date=10 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110235719/http://fusion.net/leadership/story/venezuela-violent-iraq-365361}}</ref> By 2015, it had risen to 90 per 100,000.<ref name="BBCVenezuela">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35622188|title=Venezuela's decline fuelled by plunging oil prices|last1=Davies|first1=Wyre|date=20 February 2016|access-date=20 February 2016|publisher=BBC News, Latin America|archive-date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221035418/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35622188|url-status=live}}</ref> The capital Caracas has one of the greatest homicide rates of any large city in the world, with 122 homicides per 100,000 residents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela Country Specific Information |url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1059.html |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=10 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111012601/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1059.html |archive-date=11 January 2014}}</ref> 

In 2008, polls indicated that crime was the number one concern of voters.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN14277528 |title=Crime threatens Chavez vote in Venezuela slums |publisher=Uk.reuters.com |date=14 November 2008 |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-date=15 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115215731/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKN14277528 }}</ref> Attempts at fighting crime such as Operation Liberation of the People were implemented to crack down on gang-controlled areas<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/07/13/14-killed-in-caracas-anti-crime-operation | work=Fox News |title=14 Killed in Caracas anti-crime operation |date=13 July 2015 | access-date=16 July 2015 |archive-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717025212/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/07/13/14-killed-in-caracas-anti-crime-operation/ |url-status=live}}</ref> but, of reported criminal acts, less than 2% are prosecuted.<ref name="Finnegan">{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/14/venezuela-a-failing-state|title=Venezuela, A Failing State|last=Finnegan|first=William|date=1 November 2016|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=7 January 2017|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925104104/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/14/venezuela-a-failing-state|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the ''Financial Times'' noted that some of the arms procured by the government over the previous two decades had been diverted to paramilitary civilian groups and criminal syndicates.<ref name="broken system" />

Venezuela is especially dangerous for foreign travelers and investors who are visiting. The [[United States Department of State]] and the [[Government of Canada]] have warned foreign visitors that they may be subjected to robbery, kidnapping<ref>{{cite web|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/venezuela.html|title=Venezuela|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703175448/http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/venezuela.html|archive-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> and murder, and that their own diplomatic travelers are required to travel in [[armored vehicles]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela Travel Warning|url=https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/venezuela-travel-warning.html|publisher=United States Department of State|access-date=9 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130073159/http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/venezuela-travel-warning.html|archive-date=30 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela|date=16 November 2012|url=http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuela|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=9 February 2014|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501072806/https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> The United Kingdom's [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] has advised against all travel to Venezuela.<ref>{{cite news|title=FCO travel advice mapped: the world according to Britain's diplomats|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/mar/23/fco-travel-advice-map|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624012136/http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/mar/23/fco-travel-advice-map|url-status=live}}</ref> Visitors have been murdered during robberies.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuelan Soap Star Monica Spear Slain with Ex-Husband|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/venezuelan-soap-star-monica-spear-slain-ex-husband-n5231|date=8 January 2014|newspaper=NBC News|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010132245/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/venezuelan-soap-star-monica-spear-slain-ex-husband-n5231|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=German tourist, 76, shot dead on Venezuelan island|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-shooting-tourist-idUSBREA1621020140207|access-date=9 February 2014|newspaper=Reuters|date=7 February 2014|first=Andrew|last=Cawthorne|archive-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214044010/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/07/us-venezuela-shooting-tourist-idUSBREA1621020140207|url-status=live}}</ref>

There are approximately 33 prisons holding about 50,000 inmates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/americas/venezuela-prison-violence/index.html |title=20 killed in Venezuelan prison violence |publisher=CNN.com |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044229/https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/20/world/americas/venezuela-prison-violence/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Venezuela's prison system is heavily overcrowded; its facilities have capacity for only 14,000 prisoners.<ref>{{cite news|last=Silverstein|first=Amy|title=Venezuela prison riot kills 20|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/120820/venezuela-prison-riot-kills-20|access-date=21 August 2012|newspaper=[[Global Post]]|date=20 August 2012|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101201851/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/venezuela/120820/venezuela-prison-riot-kills-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Human rights===
{{Main|Human rights in Venezuela}}
Human rights organizations such as [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[Amnesty International]] have increasingly criticized Venezuela's human rights record, with the former organization noting in 2017 that the Chavez and subsequently the Maduro government have increasingly concentrated power in the executive branch, eroded constitutional human rights protections and allowed the government to persecute and repress its critics and opposition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/venezuela|title=World Report 2017: Rights Trends in Venezuela|date=12 January 2017|website=Human Rights Watch|access-date=4 April 2021|archive-date=11 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511173224/https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> Other persistent concerns as noted by the report included poor prison conditions, the continuous [[Mass media in Venezuela|harassment of independent media]] and human rights defenders by the government.

===Corruption===
{{Main|Corruption in Venezuela}}

[[File:Corrupt Venezuelan Regime.pdf|thumb|The ''[[Corruption in Venezuela|Corrupt Venezuelan Regime]]'', according to the [[United States Department of Justice]]]]
[[Corruption in Venezuela]] is high by world standards and was so for much of the 20th century. The discovery of oil worsened political corruption.<ref>{{harvnb|McBeth|2002|p=17}}. "From 1917, greater awareness of the country's oil potential had the pernicious effect of increasing the corruption and intrigue amongst Gomez's family and entourage, the consequences of which would be felt up to 1935."</ref> By the late 1970s, [[Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso]]'s description of oil as "the Devil's excrement" had become a common expression in Venezuela.<ref>{{harvnb|Coronil|1988|p=353}}. "The perception of petroleum as the cause of Venezuela's corruption had become widespread during this period."</ref> The [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] has ranked Venezuela as one of the most corrupt countries since the survey started in 1995. The 2010 ranking placed Venezuela at number 164, out of 178 ranked countries in government transparency.<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2011/01/21/en_ing_esp_the-truth-of-pdval_21A5015053.shtml The truth of Pdval] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514111928/http://english.eluniversal.com/2011/01/21/en_ing_esp_the-truth-of-pdval_21A5015053.shtml |date=14 May 2013}}, ''[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]]'', 21 January 2011.</ref> By 2016, the rank had increased to 166 out of 178.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/country/VEN|title=Transparency International – Venezuela|first=Transparency International|last=e.V.|website=www.transparency.org|date=31 January 2023|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010122451/https://www.transparency.org/country/VEN|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[World Justice Project]] ranked Venezuela 99th out of 99 countries surveyed in its 2014 Rule of Law Index.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#/index/VEN|title=WJP Rule of Law Index™ 2014|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=29 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429071718/http://data.worldjusticeproject.org/#/index/VEN}}</ref>

This corruption is shown with Venezuela's significant involvement in [[Illegal drug trade in Venezuela|drug trafficking]], with [[Colombian cocaine]] and other drugs transiting Venezuela towards the United States and Europe. In the period 2003–2008 Venezuelan authorities seized the fifth-largest total quantity of cocaine in the world, behind Colombia, the United States, Spain and [[Panama]].<ref>United Nations, [http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2010/AllSeizures.pdf World Drug Report 2010 Statistical Annex: Drug seizures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010120056/http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2010/AllSeizures.pdf |date=10 October 2017}}</ref> In 2006, the government's agency for combating illegal drug trade in Venezuela, ''[[National Anti-Drug Office|ONA]]'', was incorporated into the office of the vice-president. However, many major government and military officials have been known for their involvement with drug trafficking.<ref>{{cite news|title=Venezuela: Where The Mafia And The Military Come Together|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2014/02/07/venezuela-where-mafia-and-military-come-together/|access-date=9 February 2014|newspaper=Fox News|date=7 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208064520/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2014/02/07/venezuela-where-mafia-and-military-come-together/|archive-date=8 February 2014}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Venezuela}}

{{Image frame|align=right|width=350|caption=Annual variation of real GDP according to the Central Bank of Venezuela (2016 preliminary)<ref name="BCV2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.bcv.org.ve/Upload/Comunicados/aviso180216.pdf|title=Resultados del Índice Nacional de Precios Al Consumidor, Producto Interno Bruto y Balanza de Pagos Cuarto Trimestre De 2015|date=18 February 2016|language=es|publisher=BCV|access-date=19 March 2017|archive-date=13 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213134315/http://www.bcv.org.ve/Upload/Comunicados/aviso180216.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/venezuela-economy-idUSL1N1FA1JL|title=UPDATE 1-Venezuela 2016 inflation hits 800 pct, GDP contracts nearly 19 pct|author=Corina Pons|date=20 January 2017|access-date=14 May 2017|publisher=REUTERS|archive-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302002030/http://www.reuters.com/article/venezuela-economy-idUSL1N1FA1JL|url-status=live}}</ref>|content={{Graph:Chart|width=300|height=230|xAxisTitle=|yAxisTitle=|type=rect|x=2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |y=5.3,-3.2,-1.5,4.2,5.6,1.3,-3.9,-5.7,-18.6|showValues=offset:3,fontcolor:black}}}}
[[File:Los Dos Caminos.jpg|thumb|Millenium Mall, one of the main [[shopping centers]] in [[Caracas]]]]
{{blockquote|Almost 82 per cent of Venezuelans live in poverty, with 53 per cent in extreme poverty, unable to buy even basic foodstuffs.{{pb}}{{ndash}} A UN special rapporteur said in February 2024 after visiting the country.<ref name="u571">{{cite web | title=Venezuela's election: More Maduro or a new democratic era? | website=CBC | date=25 July 2024 | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/venezuela-election-preview-1.7274864 | access-date=25 July 2024 | archive-date=25 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725143901/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/venezuela-election-preview-1.7274864 | url-status=live }}</ref>}}

"The formerly rich petro-state has seen GDP fall by 80 percent in less than a decade, driving some seven million of its citizens to flee. Most Venezuelans live on just a few dollars a month, with the health care and education systems in total disrepair and biting shortages of electricity and fuel" as of 2024, according to [[VOA]] (report from [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]).<ref name="h998">{{cite web | agency=Agence France-Presse | title=Concern grows as Venezuela blocks election observers | website=Voice of America | date=27 July 2024 | url=https://www.voanews.com/a/concern-grows-as-venezuela-blocks-election-observers/7715124.html | access-date=27 July 2024 | archive-date=23 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823215937/https://www.voanews.com/amp/concern-grows-as-venezuela-blocks-election-observers/7715124.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

Venezuela has a market-based [[mixed economy]] dominated by the petroleum sector,<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2017 |title=The Economy Of Venezuela |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/important-facts-related-to-the-economy-of-venezuela.html |access-date=1 January 2024 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US |archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101165314/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/important-facts-related-to-the-economy-of-venezuela.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/socialism-blame-venezuelas-crisis-180530095418091.html|title=Is socialism to blame for Venezuela's never-ending crisis?|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=19 March 2020|archive-date=25 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425032405/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/socialism-blame-venezuelas-crisis-180530095418091.html|url-status=live}}</ref> which accounts for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of exports, and more than half of government revenues. Per capita GDP for 2016 was estimated to be US$15,100, ranking 109th in the world.<ref name="ciawfb" /> Venezuela has the [[Gasoline usage and pricing|least expensive petrol]] in the world because the consumer price of petrol is heavily subsidized. The private sector controls two-thirds of Venezuela's economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/what-socialism-private-sector-still-dominates-venezuelan-economy-despite-chavez-crusade|agency=Associated Press|title=What socialism? Private sector still dominates Venezuelan economy despite Chavez crusade|website=[[Fox News]]|date=18 July 2010|access-date=19 March 2020|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226140807/https://www.foxnews.com/world/what-socialism-private-sector-still-dominates-venezuelan-economy-despite-chavez-crusade|url-status=live}}</ref>

Venezuela was ranked 136th out of 139 ranks in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2025
<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/venezuela |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref>


At least 5% of Venezuela's economy, as of 2022, relied on remittances.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2022 |title=Venezuela: Remittances as a source of foreign exchange and economic survival |url=https://thedialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Venezuela_-Remittances-as-a-source-of-foreign-exchange-and-economic-survival-2.pdf |website=The Dialogue Leadership for the Americas}}</ref>

The [[Central Bank of Venezuela]] is responsible for developing [[monetary policy]] for the [[Venezuelan bolívar]] which is used as currency. The president of the Central Bank of Venezuela serves as the country's representative in the [[International Monetary Fund]]. The U.S.-based conservative think tank [[The Heritage Foundation]] claims Venezuela has the weakest property rights in the world, scoring only 5.0 on a scale of 100. [[Expropriation]] without compensation is not uncommon.

As of 2011, more than 60% of Venezuela's international reserves was in gold, eight times more than the average for the region. Most of Venezuela's gold held abroad was located in London. In November 2011, the first of US$11&nbsp;billion of repatriated gold bullion arrived in Caracas. Chávez called the repatriation of gold a "sovereign" step that will help protect the country's foreign reserves from the turmoil in the U.S. and Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/10960388-venezuela-gold-returns-to-the-country-the-euphoria-in-the-streets |title=Venezuela: Gold Returns to the Country, The Euphoria in the Streets |date=26 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021010511/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/10960388-venezuela-gold-returns-to-the-country-the-euphoria-in-the-streets |archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Government policies quickly spent down this returned gold and in 2013 the government was forced to add the dollar reserves of state owned companies to those of the national bank to reassure the international bond market.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-09/venezuela-ogles-chavez-s-hidden-billions-as-reserves-sink.html |title=Venezuela Ogles Chavez's Hidden Billions as Reserves Sink |last1=Pons |first1=Corina |last2=Corina |first2=Nathan |date=9 August 2013 |work=[[Bloomberg.com]] |access-date=19 October 2013 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023183703/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-09/venezuela-ogles-chavez-s-hidden-billions-as-reserves-sink.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Manufacturing contributed 17% of GDP in 2006. Venezuela manufactures and exports heavy industry products such as steel, aluminium and cement, with production concentrated around [[Ciudad Guayana]], near the [[Guri Dam]], one of the largest in the world and the provider of about three-quarters of Venezuela's electricity. Other notable manufacturing includes [[electronics]] and [[automobiles]], as well as beverages, and [[foodstuff]]s. [[Agriculture in Venezuela]] accounts for approximately 3% of GDP, 10% of the labor force, and at least a quarter of Venezuela's land area. Venezuela is not self-sufficient in most areas of agriculture.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

Since the discovery of oil in the early 20th century, Venezuela has been one of the world's leading exporters of oil, and it is a founding member of [[OPEC]]. Previously an underdeveloped exporter of agricultural commodities, oil quickly came to dominate exports and government revenues. The 1980s oil glut led to an external debt crisis and a long-running economic crisis, which saw inflation peak at 100% in 1996.{{sfn|Kelly|Palma|2006|p=207}} The 1990s also saw Venezuela experience a [[Venezuelan banking crisis of 1994|major banking crisis in 1994]].

The recovery of oil prices after 2001 boosted the Venezuelan economy and facilitated social spending. With social programs such as the [[Bolivarian Missions]], Venezuela initially made progress in social development in the 2000s, particularly in areas such as health, education, and poverty. Many of the social policies pursued by Chávez and his administration were jump-started by the [[Millennium Development Goals]], eight goals that Venezuela and 188 other nations agreed to in September 2000.<ref>[https://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/11_MDG%20Report_EN.pdf "The Millennium Development Goals Report 2011".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309160853/http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/11_MDG%20Report_EN.pdf |date=9 March 2013}} United Nations. 2011. Web. 2 April 2012.</ref> The sustainability of the Bolivarian Missions has been questioned due to the Bolivarian state's overspending on public works and because the Chávez government did not save funds for future economic hardships, with economic issues and poverty rising as a result of their policies in the 2010s.<ref name="ELPAISfeb2015">{{cite news|title=Volver a ser pobre en Venezuela|last1=Scharfenberg|first1=Ewald|date=1 February 2015|url=http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2015/01/30/actualidad/1422646346_475356.html|work=[[El País]]|publisher=|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-date=27 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627184315/http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2015/01/30/actualidad/1422646346_475356.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CSM25march">{{cite news|last1=Gallagher|first1=J. J.|title=Venezuela: Does an increase in poverty signal threat to government?|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2015/0325/Venezuela-Does-an-increase-in-poverty-signal-threat-to-government|access-date=29 March 2015|agency=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|date=25 March 2015|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121082812/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2015/0325/Venezuela-Does-an-increase-in-poverty-signal-threat-to-government|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FPdontblame">{{cite news|last1=Corrales|first1=Javier|title=Don't Blame It On the Oil|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/07/dont-blame-it-on-the-oil-venezuela-caracas-maduro/|access-date=10 May 2015|agency=[[Foreign Policy]]|date=7 May 2015|archive-date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127152755/http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/07/dont-blame-it-on-the-oil-venezuela-caracas-maduro/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In 2003, the government of Hugo Chávez implemented currency controls after capital flight led to a devaluation of the currency. This led to the development of a parallel market of dollars in the subsequent years. The [[Great Recession]] led to a renewed economic downturn. Despite controversial data shared by the Venezuelan government showing that the country had halved malnutrition following one of the UN's Millennium Development Goals,<ref name="ECONeatCHAVISMO" /><ref>{{cite web|title = UN Congratulates Venezuela on Hunger|url = https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/congratulates-venezuela-reducing-hunger-widespread-food-shortages/story?id=19421963|website = ABC News|date = 18 June 2013|access-date = 18 July 2015|archive-date = 21 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150721211252/http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/congratulates-venezuela-reducing-hunger-widespread-food-shortages/story?id=19421963|url-status = live}}</ref> shortages of staple goods began to occur in Venezuela and malnutrition began to increase.<ref name="ECONeatCHAVISMO" />[[File:SaltoAngel1.jpg|thumb|[[Angel Falls|Ángel Falls]] is one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions and the world's highest waterfall, located in the [[Canaima National Park]].]]

In early 2013, Venezuela devalued its currency due to growing shortages in the country.<ref name=WSJ-Devalue-Currency>{{cite news|title=Venezuela Slashes Currency Value|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323951904578292383059267360|access-date=14 December 2013|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=9 February 2013|first1=Ezequiel|last1=Minaya|first2=Kejal|last2=Vyas|archive-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112223100/http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323951904578292383059267360|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite news|last=Cawthorne|first=Andrew|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy-idUSKCN0ID00A20141024|title=Venezuela seizes warehouses packed with medical goods, food|work=Reuters|date=24 October 2014|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702124615/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/24/us-venezuela-economy-idUSKCN0ID00A20141024|url-status=live}}</ref> The shortages included, and still include, necessities such as toilet paper, milk, and flour.<ref name=TheGuardian-Food-Shortages/> Fears rose so high due to the toilet paper shortage that the government occupied a toilet paper factory, and continued plans to nationalize other industrial aspects like food distribution.<ref>{{cite web|title = Venezuela to nationalize food distribution|url = https://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-nationalize-food-distribution-191734377.html|access-date = 6 May 2015|archive-date = 4 May 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150504030533/http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-nationalize-food-distribution-191734377.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Facing shortages, Venezuela takes over toilet paper factory|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/americas/venezuela-toilet-paper/|access-date=14 December 2013|newspaper=CNN|date=21 September 2013|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203054145/http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/21/world/americas/venezuela-toilet-paper/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Venezuela's bond ratings have also decreased multiple times in 2013 due to decisions by the president Nicolás Maduro.<ref>{{cite news|title=Update – S&P cuts Venezuela debt rating to B-minus|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/venezuela-downgrade-standardandpoors-idUSL2N0ET0Z120130617|access-date=14 December 2013|newspaper=Reuters|date=14 December 2013|first=Daniel|last=Bases|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031258/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/17/venezuela-downgrade-standardandpoors-idUSL2N0ET0Z120130617|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, consumer prices in Venezuela increased 800% and the economy declined by 18.6%, entering an [[economic depression]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Venezuela 2016 inflation hits 800 percent, GDP shrinks 19 percent|website=[[CNBC]]|date=20 January 2017|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/20/venezuela-2016-inflation-hits-800-percent-gdp-shrinks-19-percent-document.html|access-date=7 May 2017|archive-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429183703/http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/20/venezuela-2016-inflation-hits-800-percent-gdp-shrinks-19-percent-document.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Rosati, Andrew |title=Venezuela's Awful Economy Got Even Worse in 2016 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/goodbye-recession-hello-depression-venezuela-gdp-takes-10-hit |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |access-date=10 January 2019 |date=11 January 2017 |archive-date=17 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117070211/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-11/goodbye-recession-hello-depression-venezuela-gdp-takes-10-hit |url-status=live}}</ref> Venezuela's outlook was deemed negative by most bond-rating services in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-14/venezuela-s-bondholder-meeting-is-a-bust-as-s-p-declares-default|title=Venezuela's Bondholder Meeting Is a Bust as S&P Declares Default|last=Bartenstein|first=Ben|date=1 November 2017|work=[[Bloomberg.com]]|access-date=15 November 2017|display-authors=etal|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114061329/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-14/venezuela-s-bondholder-meeting-is-a-bust-as-s-p-declares-default|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rating: Venezuela Credit Rating|url=http://countryeconomy.com/ratings/venezuela|access-date=14 December 2013|archive-date=14 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214033951/http://countryeconomy.com/ratings/venezuela|url-status=live}}</ref> For 2018 an inflation rate of 1,000,000 percent was projected, putting Venezuela in a similar situation to that in Germany in 1923 or Zimbabwe in the late 2000s.<ref>{{cite news |title=IMF projects Venezuela inflation will hit 1,000,000 percent in 2018 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy/imf-projects-venezuela-inflation-will-hit-1000000-percent-in-2018-idUSKBN1KD2L9 |access-date=24 July 2018 |work=Reuters |date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=23 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823140805/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy/imf-projects-venezuela-inflation-will-hit-1000000-percent-in-2018-idUSKBN1KD2L9 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Tourism===
{{Main|Tourism in Venezuela}}
Tourism has been developed considerably in recent decades, particularly because of its favorable geographical position, the variety of landscapes, the richness of plant and [[wildlife]], the culture and the tropical climate.

[[Margarita Island]] is one of the top tourist destinations. It is an island with a modern infrastructure, bordered by beaches suitable for extreme sports, and features castles, fortresses and churches of great cultural value.

[[Los Roques Archipelago]] is made up of a set of islands and keys that constitute one of the main tourist attractions in the country. With exotic crystalline beaches, Morrocoy is a national park, formed by small keys very close to the mainland, which have grown rapidly as one of the greatest tourist attractions in the Venezuelan Caribbean.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Brushaber|first1=Susan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7iKEMRJKxcC&q=los+roques+tourism&pg=PT73|title=Venezuela Alive|last2=Greenberg|first2=Arnold|year=1997|publisher=Hunter Publishing, Inc|isbn=978-1-55650-800-4|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032909/https://books.google.com/books?id=F7iKEMRJKxcC&q=los+roques+tourism&pg=PT73#v=snippet&q=los%20roques%20tourism&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Parque Nacional Mochima2.JPG|thumb|256x256px|[[Mochima National Park]], Eastern Venezuela]]
[[Canaima National Park]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mann|first=Mark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lTIiAwAAQBAJ&q=canaima+tourism&pg=PA162|title=The Community Tourism Guide: Exciting Holidays for Responsible Travellers|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-85466-1|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032905/https://books.google.com/books?id=lTIiAwAAQBAJ&q=canaima+tourism&pg=PA162#v=snippet&q=canaima%20tourism&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> extends over 30,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> to the border with Guyana and Brazil; due to its size it is considered the sixth largest national park in the world. Its steep cliffs and waterfalls (including Angel Falls, which is the highest waterfall in the world, at 1,002 m) form spectacular landscapes.

The state of [[Mérida (state)|Mérida]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dagert|first=Domingo Alberto Medina|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZw3xycJZUYC&q=merida+state+tourism|title=Community Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Tourism: "Los Aleros" Merida, Venezuela|date=1993|publisher=Michigan State University. Department of Park and Recreation Resources|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129033027/https://books.google.com/books?id=KZw3xycJZUYC&q=merida+state+tourism|url-status=live}}</ref> is one of the main tourist centers of Venezuela. It has an extensive network of hotels not only in its capital city, but also throughout the state. Starting from the same city of Mérida is the longest and highest cable car in the world, which reaches the Pico Espejo of 4,765 m.

=== Shortages ===
{{Main|Shortages in Venezuela}}
[[Shortages]] in Venezuela have been prevalent following the enactment of price controls and other policies during the [[economic policy of the Hugo Chávez government]].<ref name="economist.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2013/02/venezuela%E2%80%99s-currency |access-date=18 February 2013 |title=Venezuela's currency: The not-so-strong bolívar |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=11 February 2013 |archive-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503020626/https://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2013/02/venezuela%E2%80%99s-currency |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="qz.com">{{cite news |title=Venezuela's black market rate for US dollars just jumped by almost 40% |url=http://qz.com/192395/venezuelas-black-market-rate-for-us-dollars-just-jumped-by-almost-40/#/h/56869,3/ |access-date=27 March 2014 |newspaper=Quartz |date=26 March 2014 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413072804/https://qz.com/192395/venezuelas-black-market-rate-for-us-dollars-just-jumped-by-almost-40/#/h/56869,3/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Under the [[economic policy of the Nicolás Maduro government]], greater shortages occurred due to the Venezuelan government's policy of withholding United States dollars from importers with price controls.<ref name="WSJseptDOWNGRADE">{{cite news |last1=Dulaney |first1=Chelsey |last2=Vyas |first2=Kejal |title=S&P Downgrades Venezuela on Worsening Economy Rising Inflation, Economic Pressures Prompt Rating Cut |url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/s-p-downgrades-venezuela-on-worsening-economy-1410907125 |access-date=18 September 2014 |agency=The Wall Street Journal |date=16 September 2014 |archive-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918020446/http://online.wsj.com/articles/s-p-downgrades-venezuela-on-worsening-economy-1410907125 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Escasez en Venezuela, Central Madeirense 8.JPG|thumb|Empty shelves in a store in Venezuela due to shortages in 2014]]
Shortages occur in regulated products, such as milk, various types of meat, coffee, rice, oil, flour, butter, and other goods including basic necessities like toilet paper, personal hygiene products, and even medicine.<ref name="economist.com" /><ref name="ACN">{{cite web|title=La escasez también frena tratamientos contra cáncer |language=es |location=Venezuela |url=http://acn.com.ve/la-escasez-tambien-frena-tratamientos-contra-cancer/ |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826135417/http://acn.com.ve/la-escasez-tambien-frena-tratamientos-contra-cancer/ |archive-date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="El Nuevo Herald">{{cite news |title=Venezuela sufre escasez de prótesis mamarias |language=es |publisher=[[El Nuevo Herald]] |url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2014/03/19/1705888/venezuela-sufre-escasez-de-protesis.html |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113732/http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2014/03/19/1705888/venezuela-sufre-escasez-de-protesis.html |archive-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> As a result of the shortages, Venezuelans must search for food, wait in lines for hours and sometimes do without certain products.<ref name=":7">{{cite news |title=Why are Venezuelans posting pictures of empty shelves? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-30710014 |access-date=10 January 2015 |agency=BBC |date=8 January 2015 |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429221805/http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-30710014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="REUTjan2015">{{cite news |last1=Cawthorne |first1=Andrew |title=In shortages-hit Venezuela, lining up becomes a profession |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-shortages-idUSKBN0KU1BX20150121 |access-date=17 June 2015 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=21 January 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115012641/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/21/us-venezuela-shortages-idUSKBN0KU1BX20150121 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Harrowing Video Shows Starving Venezuelans Eating Garbage, Looting |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2016/05/26/exclusive-harrowing-video-shows-starving-venezuelans-eating-garbage-looting.html|access-date=12 July 2016|agency=[[Fox Business]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707182016/http://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/2016/05/26/exclusive-harrowing-video-shows-starving-venezuelans-eating-garbage-looting.html |archive-date=7 July 2016|last=MacDonald|first=Elizabeth|date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=As hunger mounts, Venezuelans turn to trash for food|last=Sanchez|first=Fabiola|date=8 June 2016|agency=[[Associated Press]]|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5ee6b03daee141c3b89d419ecadcc7fa/venezuelans-pick-through-trash-food-eat-or-sell|access-date=12 July 2016|archive-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331095757/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5ee6b03daee141c3b89d419ecadcc7fa/venezuelans-pick-through-trash-food-eat-or-sell}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mangoes fill the gaps in Venezuela's food crisis |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/multimedia/mangoes-fill-the-gaps-in-venezuela-s-food-crisis-1.3620964 |access-date=12 July 2016 |agency=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=7 June 2016 |archive-date=2 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102004401/https://www.cbc.ca/news/multimedia/mangoes-fill-the-gaps-in-venezuela-s-food-crisis-1.3620964 |url-status=live}}</ref>

A drought, combined with a lack of planning and maintenance, has caused a hydroelectricity shortage. To deal with lack of power supply, in April 2016 the Maduro government announced rolling blackouts<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/22/475250605/venezuela-announces-daily-4-hour-power-cuts-amid-drought Venezuela Announces Daily 4-Hour Power Cuts Amid Drought : The Two-Way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191142/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/22/475250605/venezuela-announces-daily-4-hour-power-cuts-amid-drought |date=28 July 2018}}. NPR (22 April 2016). Retrieved on 15 June 2016.</ref> and reduced the government [[workweek]] to only Monday and Tuesday.<ref>[https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/27/475859770/venezuela-cuts-public-employees-work-week-to-2-days-to-save-energy Venezuela Cuts Public Employees' Workweek To 2 Days To Save Energy : The Two-Way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728191132/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/27/475859770/venezuela-cuts-public-employees-work-week-to-2-days-to-save-energy |date=28 July 2018}}. NPR (27 April 2016). Retrieved on 15 June 2016.</ref> A multi-university study found that, in 2016 alone, about 75% of Venezuelans lost weight due to hunger, with the average losing about 8.6&nbsp;kg (19&nbsp;lbs) due to the lack of food.<ref name="UPIfeb17">{{cite news|last1=Pestano|first1=Andrew V.|title=Venezuela: 75% of population lost 19 pounds amid crisis|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/02/19/Venezuela-75-of-population-lost-19-pounds-amid-crisis/2441487523377/|access-date=21 February 2017|work=[[UPI]]|date=19 February 2017|archive-date=10 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510154807/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/02/19/Venezuela-75-of-population-lost-19-pounds-amid-crisis/2441487523377/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2017, Venezuela began having shortages of gasoline in some regions.<ref name="EImar17">{{cite news |last1=Suarez |first1=Roberth |title=Fotos: Escasez de gasolina se agudiza en Barquisimeto |url=http://www.elimpulso.com/noticias/regionales/fotos-escasez-gasolina-se-agudiza-barquisimeto |access-date=23 March 2017 |work=[[El Impulso (Venezuela)|El Impulso]] |date=22 March 2017 |language=es |archive-date=22 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322135439/http://www.elimpulso.com/noticias/regionales/fotos-escasez-gasolina-se-agudiza-barquisimeto |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Petroleum and other resources ===
{{See also|History of the Venezuelan oil industry|Energy policy of Venezuela}}
[[File:Venezuela's exports of crude oil, January 2018-December 2019.png|thumb|Venezuela's exports of crude oil from January 2018 to December 2019.<ref name=EIA-VEN>{{Cite web|date=30 November 2020|title=Venezuela – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)|url=https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/VEN|access-date=25 February 2022|website=www.eia.gov|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220233751/https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/VEN|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves, and the eighth largest natural gas reserves in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eia.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=VE |title=Venezuela Energy Profile |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215105626/http://eia.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=VE |archive-date=15 December 2010}}, [[Energy Information Administration]]. Last Update: 30 June 2010.</ref> Compared to 2009, another 40.4% in crude oil reserves were proven in 2010, allowing Venezuela to surpass Saudi Arabia as the country with the largest reserves of this type.<ref>[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/venezuela-oil-reserves-topped-saudis-in-2010opec-2011-07-18 Venezuela oil reserves topped Saudis in 2010:OPEC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012091240/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/venezuela-oil-reserves-topped-saudis-in-2010opec-2011-07-18 |date=12 October 2017}}. Market Watch. 18 July 2011</ref> Venezuela's main petroleum deposits are located around and beneath Lake Maracaibo, the Gulf of Venezuela (both in [[Zulia State|Zulia]]), and in the Orinoco River basin ([[Orinoco#Eastern Venezuelan basin|eastern Venezuela]]), where Venezuela's largest reserve is located.<ref>[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/venezuela-oil-reserves-topped-saudis-in-2010opec-2011-07-18 Venezuela oil reserves topped Saudis in 2010:OPEC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012091240/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/venezuela-oil-reserves-topped-saudis-in-2010opec-2011-07-18 |date=12 October 2017}}. Market Watch. 18 July 2011</ref>

Besides having the largest conventional oil reserves and the second-largest natural gas reserves in the Western Hemisphere,<ref name="bbc">{{cite news | publisher = BBC |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4692534.stm |title = Venezuela: Energy overview |date = 16 February 2006 | access-date = 10 July 2007 |archive-date = 12 October 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171012121804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4692534.stm |url-status = live}}</ref> Venezuela has non-conventional oil deposits, in the form of [[Heavy crude oil|extra-heavy crude oil]], [[bitumen]] and [[tar sands]], approximately equal to the world's reserves of conventional oil.<ref name="wec">{{cite web | publisher = World Energy Council |url = http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/default/tech_papers/17th_congress/3_1_04.asp |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070402100135/http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/default/tech_papers/17th_congress/3_1_04.asp |archive-date = 2 April 2007 |author = Bauquis, Pierre-René |title = What the future for extra heavy oil and bitumen: the Orinoco case |date = 16 February 2006|access-date = 10 July 2007}}</ref> The [[electricity sector in Venezuela]] is one of the few to rely primarily on [[hydropower]], and includes the Guri Dam, one of the largest in the world.

In the first half of the 20th century, U.S. oil companies were heavily involved in Venezuela, initially interested only in purchasing concessions.{{sfn|Yergin|1991|pp=233–236, 432}} In 1943, a new government introduced a 50/50 split in profits between the government and the oil industry. In 1960, with a newly installed democratic government, Hydrocarbons Minister Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso led the creation of OPEC, the consortium of oil-producing countries aiming to support the price of oil.{{sfn|Yergin|1991|pp=510–513}}

[[File:Oil Reserves Updated.png|upright=1.35|thumb|A map of world [[oil reserves]] according to OPEC, 2013. Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.]]
In 1973, Venezuela voted to nationalize its oil industry outright, effective 1 January 1976, with [[Petróleos de Venezuela]] (PDVSA) taking over and presiding over a number of holding companies; in subsequent years, Venezuela built a vast refining and marketing system in the U.S. and Europe.{{sfn|Yergin|1991|p=767}} In the 1990s, PDVSA became more independent from the government and presided over an ''apertura'' (opening) in which it invited in foreign investment. Under Hugo Chávez a 2001 law placed limits on foreign investment. PDVSA played a key role in the December 2002 – February 2003 national strike. As a result of the strike, around 40% of the company's workforce, around 18,000 workers, were dismissed.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.scielo.org.ve/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1012-25082004000200006&lng=es&nrm=iso|title=Venezuela 2001–2004: actores y estrategias|author=López Maya, Margarita|journal=Cuadernos del Cendes|year=2004|volume=21|issue=56|pages=109–132|issn=1012-2508|access-date=3 October 2010|archive-date=17 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117023037/http://www.scielo.org.ve/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Venezuela}}

[[File:Los Jardines (Caracas metro).jpg|thumb|[[Caracas Metro]] in Los Jardines Station]]
[[List of airports in Venezuela|Venezuela's airports]] include the [[Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)|Simón Bolívar International Airport]] in Maiquetía, near Caracas and [[La Chinita International Airport]] near [[Maracaibo]]. Major seaports are at La Guaira, Maracaibo and [[Puerto Cabello]]. In the south and east, the Amazon rainforest region has limited cross-border transport. In the west, there is a mountainous border of over {{convert|2213|km}} shared with Colombia. The [[Orinoco]] River is navigable by oceangoing vessels up to {{convert|400|km}} inland and connects the major industrial city of Ciudad Guayana to the Atlantic Ocean.

Venezuela [[Instituto de Ferrocarriles del Estado|has a limited national railway system]], which has no active rail connections to other countries. The government of Hugo Chávez tried to invest in expanding it, but Venezuela's rail project is on hold due to Venezuela not being able to pay the $7.5&nbsp;billion{{clarify|date=April 2017}} and owing [[China Railway]] nearly $500&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|last=Han Shih|first=Toh|title=China Railway Group's project in Venezuela hits snag|url=https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1211846/china-railway-groups-project-venezuela-hits-snag|access-date=14 December 2013|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=11 April 2013|archive-date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418025504/http://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1211846/china-railway-groups-project-venezuela-hits-snag|url-status=live}}</ref>
Several major cities have metro systems. The Caracas Metro has been operating since 1983. The [[Maracaibo Metro]] and [[Valencia Metro (Venezuela)|Valencia Metro]] were opened more recently. Venezuela has a road network of nearly {{convert|100000|km}}, placing Venezuela [[List of countries by road network size|around 45th in the world]].<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2085rank.html?countryName=Venezuela&countryCode=ve&reagionCode=soa&rank=45#ve Country Comparison :: Roadways] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703094211/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2085rank.html?countryName=Venezuela&countryCode=ve&reagionCode=soa&rank=45#ve |date=3 July 2017}}. The World Factbook. cia.gov</ref> Around a third of roads are paved.

=== Utilities ===
{{see also|Electricity sector in Venezuela}}
{{expand section|date=April 2024}}
The electricity sector in Venezuela is heavily dependent on [[hydroelectricity]], accounting for 64% of Venezuela's electricity generation in 2021.<ref name=EIA-VEN/>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Venezuela}}

Venezuela is among the most urbanized countries in Latin America.<ref name="encartaSA" /><ref name="UNpopstats" /> About 93% of the population lives in urban areas in northern Venezuela, especially in the capital Caracas, which is the largest city. 73% of people live less than {{convert|100|km|mi|0}} from the coastline.<ref>{{cite web|year=2003 |publisher=World Resources Institute |website=EarthTrends Country Profiles|title=Coastal and Marine Ecosystems—Venezuela |url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/coa_cou_862.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318000929/http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/coa_cou_862.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2007 |access-date=10 March 2007}}</ref> Though almost half of Venezuela's land area lies south of the Orinoco, only 5% of Venezuelans live there. The largest and most important city south of the Orinoco is [[Ciudad Guayana]], which is the sixth most populous [[conurbation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ine.gob.ve/demografica/salidadistribucion.asp?Tt=Cuadro229&cuadro=cuadro229 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929230946/http://www.ine.gob.ve/demografica/salidadistribucion.asp?Tt=Cuadro229&cuadro=cuadro229 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |title=Cuadro Magnitud y Estructura Demográfica |publisher=Ine.gob.ve |access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> Other major cities include [[Barquisimeto]], [[Valencia, Carabobo|Valencia]], [[Maracay]], [[Maracaibo]], [[Barcelona-Puerto La Cruz]], [[Mérida, Mérida|Mérida]] and [[San Cristóbal, Táchira|San Cristóbal]].

According to {{UN_Population|source}} the total population was {{UN_Population|Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)}} in {{UN_Population|Year}}. A 2014 study by sociologists of the [[Central University of Venezuela]] found over 1.5&nbsp;million Venezuelans, or about 4% to 6% of the country's population, have left Venezuela since 1999.<ref name=ENHaug28>{{cite news|last1=Maria Delgado|first1=Antonio|title=Venezuela agobiada por la fuga masiva de cerebros|url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2014/08/26/1828337/venezuela-agobiada-por-fuga-masiva.html|access-date=28 August 2014|agency=El Nuevo Herald|date=28 August 2014|archive-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827193549/http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2014/08/26/1828337/venezuela-agobiada-por-fuga-masiva.html}}</ref><ref name=Elimpulso23AUG>{{cite news|title=El 90% de los venezolanos que se van tienen formación universitaria|url=http://elimpulso.com/articulo/el-90-de-los-venezolanos-que-se-van-tienen-formacion-universitaria|access-date=28 August 2014|agency=El Impulso|date=23 August 2014|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017034551/http://elimpulso.com/articulo/el-90-de-los-venezolanos-que-se-van-tienen-formacion-universitaria|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Largest cities ===
{{Main|List of metropolitan areas in Venezuela}}
{{Largest cities
| country = Venezuela
| stat_ref = <ref>Based on the result of the 2011 Census according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadisca</ref>
| div_name = State
| city_1 = Caracas | div_1 = Capital District (Venezuela){{!}}Capital District | pop_1 = 2,904,376
| city_2 = Maracaibo | div_2 = Zulia | pop_2 = 1,906,205
| city_3 = Valencia, Venezuela{{!}}Valencia | div_3 = Carabobo | pop_3 = 1,396,322
| city_4 = Barquisimeto | div_4 = Lara (state){{!}}Lara | pop_4 = 996,230
| city_5 = Ciudad Guayana | div_5 = Bolívar, Venezuela{{!}}Bolívar | pop_5 = 706,736
| city_6 = Maturín | div_6 = Monagas | pop_6 =  542,259
| city_7 = Barcelona, Venezuela{{!}}Barcelona| div_7 = Anzoátegui | pop_7 = 421,424
| city_8 = Maracay| div_8 = Aragua | pop_8 = 407,109
| city_9 = Cumaná | div_9 = Sucre, Venezuela{{!}}Sucre | pop_9 = 358,919
| city_10 = Barinas, Barinas{{!}}Barinas | div_10 = Barinas (state){{!}}Barinas| pop_10 = 353.851 
| city_11 = Ciudad Bolívar | div_11 = Bolívar, Venezuela{{!}}Bolívar | pop_11 = 342,280
| city_12 = San Cristóbal, Venezuela{{!}}San Cristóbal| div_12 = Táchira| pop_12 = 263,765
| city_13 = Cabimas| div_13 = Zulia| pop_13 = 263,056
| city_14 = Los Teques | div_14 =  Miranda (state){{!}}Miranda  | pop_14 = 252,242
| city_15 = Puerto la Cruz | div_15 = Anzoátegui| pop_15 = 244,728
| city_16 = Punto Fijo | div_16 = Falcón| pop_16 = 239,444
| city_17 = Mérida, Mérida{{!}}Mérida | div_17 = Mérida (state){{!}}Mérida | pop_17 = 217,547
| city_18 = Guarenas | div_18 = Miranda (state){{!}}Miranda | pop_18 = 209,987
| city_19 = Ciudad Ojeda | div_19 = Zulia | pop_19 = 203,435
| city_20 = Guanare | div_20 = Portuguesa, Venezuela{{!}}Portuguesa | pop_20 = 192,644
}}

=== Ethnicity ===
{{Main|Venezuelan people}}
{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption=Racial groups in Venezuela, 2011 census.<ref name="Census-ethnics">{{cite web |url=http://www.ine.gob.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/nacional.pdf |title= Censo 2011 |page=29 |publisher= | website= ine.gov.ve |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-date=5 August 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190805193838/http://www.ine.gob.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/nacional.pdf }}</ref>
|label1 = [[Moreno Venezuelans|Mestizo]]
|value1 = 51.6
|color1 = #AA7E54
|label2 = [[White Venezuelans|White]]
|value2 = 43.6
|color2 = #FBC5A7
|label3 = [[Black Venezuelans|Black]]
|value3 = 3.6
|color3 = #55382A
|label4 = Others 
|value4 = 1.2
|color4 = Lightgray
}}

[[File:Spaniards in Venezuela by state.png|thumb|A map showing the proportion of the Venezuelan population with Spanish nationality or people who are residing in Venezuela which are declared as Spanish or people with declared Iberian Spanish ancestry.]]
The people of Venezuela come from a variety of ancestries. It is estimated that the majority of the population is of [[pardo]], or mixed, ethnic ancestry. In the 2011 census, which Venezuelans were asked to identify themselves according to their customs and ancestry, the term ''pardo'' was excluded from the answers. The majority claimed to be [[Moreno Venezuelans|moreno]] or [[White Venezuelans|white]]—51.6% and 43.6%, respectively.<ref name="Census-ethnics" /> Slightly more than half of the population claimed to be ''[[:wikt:moreno|moreno]]'', a term used throughout Ibero-America that in this case means "dark-skinned" or "brown-skinned", as opposed to having a [[light skin|lighter skin]].

Ethnic minorities in Venezuela consist of groups that descend mainly from African or Indigenous peoples. 2.8% identified themselves as "black" and 0.7% as ''afrodescendiente'' (Afro-descendant), 2.6% claimed to belong to Indigenous peoples, and 1.2% answered "other races".<ref name="Census-ethnics" />

Among Indigenous people, 58% were [[Wayúu]], 7% [[Warao people|Warao]], 5% [[Kariña]], 4% [[Pemon|Pemón]], 3% [[Piaroa]], 3% [[Guahibo people|Jivi]], 3% [[Añu people|Añu]], 3% [[Cumanágoto]], 2% [[Yukpa]], 2% [[Chaima]] and 1% [[Yanomami]]; the remaining 9% consisted of other Indigenous nations.<ref>{{cite news|author=Benítez, Deivis |date=2011 |title=Poblaciones Indígenas en aumento según censo poblacional 2011 |url=http://www.minpi.gob.ve/minpi/es/noticias/1548-np1428 |access-date=10 October 2012 |agency=PRENSA MINPPPI |language=es |orig-date=Updated 13 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116234901/http://www.minpi.gob.ve/minpi/es/noticias/1548-np1428 |archive-date=16 January 2013}} {{Poem quote|Los resultados arrojados por el censo poblacional realizado por el Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas en el 2011 demuestra que las poblaciones indígenas ha aumentado progresivamente con respecto al censo del año 2001.

Según los datos estadísticos publicados por el INE, el total de población que se declaró indígena por sexo, arrojó un resultado de 50,46% hombre y 49,54% mujeres representando 365.920 hombres y 359.208 mujeres para un total de 725.148 personas que se declararon indígenas de Venezuela.

Así mismo, se tomó el porcentaje de población por entidad donde el estado Zulia es la entidad con más indígenas con un 61%, seguido del estado Amazonas con 10%, Bolívar con un 8%, Delta Amacuro con 6%, Anzoátegui 5%, Sucre 3%, Apure y Monagas 2% mientras que en otras entidades existe un 3% de población indígena.

Entre tanto, los pueblos indígenas con mayor población se encuentran los Wayuu 58%, Warao 7%, Kariña 5%, Pemón 4%, Piaroa, Jivi, Añu, Cumanágoto 3%, Yukpa, Chaima 2%, el pueblo Yanomami 1% y otros pueblos con un 9%.}}</ref>

According to an autosomal DNA study conducted in 2008 by the [[University of Brasília]], the composition of Venezuela's population is 60.60% European, 23% Indigenous, and 16.30% African.<ref>{{cite web|last=Godinho|first=Neide Maria de Oliveira|year=2008 |title=O impacto das migrações na constituição genética de populações latino-americanas |url=http://bdtd.bce.unb.br/tedesimplificado/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=3873 |publisher=Universidade de Brasília |access-date=1 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162307/http://bdtd.bce.unb.br/tedesimplificado/tde_arquivos/36/TDE-2008-08-21T100337Z-3085/Publico/2008_NeideMOGodinho.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2011}}</ref>
{{Multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = horizontal |perrow=2 |total_width=400
 | image1 = Venezuela 2011 Moreno (Brown) population proportion map.png
 | caption1 = [[Mestizos in Venezuela|Moreno (Mestizo)]] population of Venezuela in 2011
 | image2 = Venezuela 2011 White population proportion map.png
 | caption2 = [[White Venezuelans|White]] population of Venezuela in 2011
 | image3 = Venezuela 2011 Ameridian population proportion map.png
 | caption3 = [[Indigenous peoples in Venezuela|Amerindian]] population of Venezuela in 2011
 | image4 = Venezuela 2011 Black and Afrodescendant population proportion map.png
 | caption4 = [[Black Venezuelans|Black and Afrodescendant]] population of Venezuela in 2011
}}
During the colonial period and until after the Second World War, many of the European immigrants to Venezuela came from the [[Canary Islands]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/m/jml34/Canary.htm|title=The Spanish of the Canary Islands|website=personal.psu.edu|access-date=13 March 2012|archive-date=20 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320082713/http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/m/jml34/Canary.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Spaniards in Venezuela|Spain]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministerio de Trabajo y Economía Social |url=https://www.mites.gob.es/es/mundo/consejerias/venezuela/emigracion/contenidos/datosSocio.htm |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=www.mites.gob.es |archive-date=29 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429194556/https://www.mites.gob.es/es/mundo/consejerias/venezuela/emigracion/contenidos/datosSocio.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> with a relevant amount of [[Galicians]] and [[Asturians]]. These immigrants from [[Spain]] had a significant cultural impact on the cuisine and customs of Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|last=Erichsen|first=Gerald|url=http://spanish.about.com/od/Country-Highlights/tp/Facts-About-Venezuela-for-Spanish-Students.htm|title=Facts About Venezuela for Spanish Students|publisher=About|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906183124/http://spanish.about.com/od/Country-Highlights/tp/Facts-About-Venezuela-for-Spanish-Students.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grancanariainfo.co.uk/culture.asp|title=Gran Canaria Culture|publisher=GranCanariaInfo|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624141850/http://www.grancanariainfo.co.uk/culture.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sazonlatinorestaurant.com/history|title=History|publisher=Sazon Latino Restaurant|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=29 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529215505/http://sazonlatinorestaurant.com/history|url-status=live}}</ref> These influences on Venezuela have led to the nation being called the 8th island of the Canaries.<ref>{{cite news|last=Calder|first=Simon|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/secret-canaries-explore-these-warm-volcanic-islands-all-year-round-9831652.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220811/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/secret-canaries-explore-these-warm-volcanic-islands-all-year-round-9831652.html |archive-date=11 August 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Secret Canaries: Explore these warm volcanic islands all year round|newspaper=The Independent|date=31 October 2014|access-date=30 June 2015|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Ross|first1=Ben|last2=Calder|first2=Simon|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/tale-of-two-travellers-the-two-sides-of-the-canaries-1834321.html|title=Tale of Two Travellers: The two sides of the Canaries|newspaper=The Independent|date=5 December 2009|access-date=30 June 2015|location=London|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925234956/http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/tale-of-two-travellers-the-two-sides-of-the-canaries-1834321.html}}</ref> With the start of oil exploitation in the early 20th century, companies from the United States began establishing operations in Venezuela, bringing with them U.S. citizens. Later, during and after the war, new waves of immigrants from other parts of Europe, the Middle East, and China began; many were encouraged by government-established [[Immigration to Venezuela|immigration programs]] and lenient immigration policies.<ref name="Romero2010">{{cite news|last=Romero|first=Simon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/americas/07venez.html?_r=0|title=In Venezuela, a New Wave of Foreigners|newspaper=The New York Times|date=7 November 2010|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203032543/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/world/americas/07venez.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 20th century, Venezuela, along with the rest of Latin America, received millions of immigrants from Europe.<ref name="PadillaPeixoto2007">{{cite web|last1=Padilla|first1=Beatriz|last2=Peixoto|first2=Joāo|url=http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/latin-american-immigration-southern-europe|title=Latin American Immigration to Southern Europe|publisher=Migration Policy|date=28 June 2007|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=22 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622101652/http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/latin-american-immigration-southern-europe|url-status=live}}</ref> This was especially true post-World War II, as a consequence of war-ridden Europe.<ref name="PadillaPeixoto2007" /><ref name="Brooke1992">{{cite news|last=Brooke|first=James|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/17/world/latin-america-offers-new-world-to-east-europe-emigrants.html|title=Latin America Offers 'New World' to East Europe Emigrants|newspaper=The New York Times|date=17 February 1992|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-date=26 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526054830/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/17/world/latin-america-offers-new-world-to-east-europe-emigrants.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 1970s, while experiencing an oil-export boom, Venezuela received millions of immigrants from Ecuador, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.<ref name="Brooke1992" /> Due to the belief that this immigration influx depressed wages, some Venezuelans opposed European immigration.<ref name="Brooke1992" /> The Venezuelan government, however, were actively recruiting immigrants from Eastern Europe to fill a need for engineers. Millions of Colombians, as well as Middle Eastern and Haitian populations would continue immigrating to Venezuela into the early 21st century.<ref name="Romero2010" />

According to the ''World Refugee Survey 2008'', published by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Venezuela hosted a population of [[refugee]] and asylum seekers from Colombia numbering 252,200 in 2007. 10,600 new asylum seekers entered Venezuela in 2007.<ref name="World Refugee Survey 2008">{{cite news|title=World Refugee Survey 2008|publisher=U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants|date=19 June 2008|url=http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=2114&subm=179&area=Investigate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429171446/http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=2114&subm=179&area=Investigate|archive-date=29 April 2009}}</ref> In 2011, between 500,000 and one million [[illegal immigrant]]s were estimated to be living in the country.<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/12.htm Venezuela – Population] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012080622/http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/12.htm |date=12 October 2011 }}. U.S. Library of Congress.</ref>

In 2012, Venezuela's Indigenous population was estimated at 500 thousand people (2.8% of the total), distributed among 40 Indigenous peoples.<ref>[http://www.ine.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=95&Itemid=9# > Censos de población y vivienda] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719020310/http://www.ine.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=95&Itemid=9 |date=19 July 2017}}. INE (23 February 2012). Retrieved on 16 April 2012.</ref> There are three [[Uncontacted peoples|uncontacted tribes]] living in Venezuela. The Constitution recognizes the multi-ethnic, pluri-cultural, and multilingual character of Venezuela and includes a chapter devoted to Indigenous peoples' rights, which opened up spaces for their political inclusion at national and local level in 1999.
Most Indigenous peoples are concentrated in eight states along Venezuela's borders with Brazil, Guyana, and Colombia. Major groups are the [[Wayuu people|Wayuu]] in the west, the [[Warao people|Warao]] in the east, the [[Yanomami]] installed in the south, and the [[Pemon]], who are mostly in the southeast of Venezuela.

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Venezuela}}
Although most residents are monolingual Spanish speakers, many languages are spoken in Venezuela. In addition to Spanish, the Constitution recognizes more than thirty Indigenous languages, including [[Wayuu language|Wayuu]], [[Warao language|Warao]], [[Pemon language|Pemón]], and many others for the official use of the Indigenous peoples, mostly with few speakers – less than 1% of the total population. Wayuu is the most spoken Indigenous language, with 170,000 speakers.<ref name="Ethnologue">{{cite web|title=Venezuela|website=Ethnologue|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/VE|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-date=4 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404014153/https://www.ethnologue.com/country/VE|url-status=live}}</ref>

Immigrants, in addition to Spanish, speak their own languages. Chinese (400,000), [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] (254,000),<ref name="Ethnologue" /> and Italian (200,000)<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bernasconi|first1=Giulia|title=L'Italiano in Venezuela|journal=Italiano LinguaDue|volume=3|date=2012|issue=2|page=20|doi=10.13130/2037-3597/1921|doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 |url=https://www.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doajarticles::e2c6e2d8ae5915079007d321c21defb0|access-date=22 January 2017|language=it|quote=L'italiano come lingua acquisita o riacquisita è largamente diffuso in Venezuela: recenti studi stimano circa 200.000 studenti di italiano nel Paese|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202192545/https://www.openaire.eu/search/publication?articleId=doajarticles::e2c6e2d8ae5915079007d321c21defb0}}</ref> are the most-spoken languages in Venezuela after the official language of Spanish. Arabic is spoken by Lebanese and Syrian colonies on [[Margarita Island|Isla de Margarita]], Maracaibo, [[Punto Fijo]], [[Puerto la Cruz]], El Tigre, [[Maracay]], and Caracas. Portuguese is spoken by the Portuguese community in [[Santa Elena de Uairén]] and by much of the population, due to its proximity to Brazil.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-venezuela.html |title=What Languages Are Spoken in Venezuela?|work=WorldAtlas|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> The German community speaks their native language, while the people of [[Colonia Tovar]] speak mostly an [[Alemannic German|Alemannic]] dialect of German called [[Colonia Tovar dialect|''alemán coloniero'']].

English is the most widely used foreign language in demand and is spoken by many professionals, academics, and members of the upper and middle classes as a result of the oil exploration by foreign companies, and its acceptance as a [[lingua franca]]. Culturally, English is common in southern towns like [[El Callao Municipality|El Callao]], and the native English-speaking (English-creole speaking) influence is evident in folk and calypso songs from the region.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3cU-AQAAQBAJ&pg=PT61 |title=Venezuela – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture|last=Maddicks|first=Russell |date=1 October 2012|publisher=Kuperard|isbn=978-1-85733-661-0}}</ref>

Dialects of Eastern-Caribbean English-based creoles were brought to Venezuela by [[Trinidadian]] and other [[British West Indies]] immigrants.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3cU-AQAAQBAJ&pg=PT61 |title=Venezuela – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture|last=Maddicks|first=Russell |date=1 October 2012|publisher=Kuperard|isbn=978-1-85733-661-0}}</ref> They are collectively referred to as [[Venezuelan English Creole]]. A variety of [[Antillean Creole]] is spoken by a small community in El Callao and [[Paria Peninsula|Paria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/7134415|title=Patuá in Paria: The Status of French-lexicon Creole in Venezuela (pre-published version)|first=Jo-Anne S|last=Ferreira |date=23 May 2014 }}</ref> Italian language teaching is delivered by private Venezuelan schools and institutions. Other languages spoken by large communities in the country are [[Basque language|Basque]] and [[Galician language|Galician]], among others. {{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Venezuela}}

{{Pie chart
|caption = Religion in Venezuela, 2011.<ref name="grumilla">{{cite news|last1=Aguire|first1=Jesus Maria|language=es|title=Informe Sociográfico sobre la religión en Venezuela|url=http://www.gumilla.org/biblioteca/bases/biblo/texto/SIC2012745_211-222.pdf|access-date=5 April 2015|publisher=El Centro Gumilla|date=June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024236/http://www.gumilla.org/biblioteca/bases/biblo/texto/SIC2012745_211-222.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

|label1 = [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]]
|value1 = 71
|color1 = Blue
|label2 = [[Protestant]]
|value2 = 17
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|label3 = [[Irreligion|No religion]]
|value3 = 7
|color3 = LightGray
|label4 = Other religion
|value4 = 3
|color4 = yellow
|label5 = No answer
|value5 = 1
|color5 = white
}}

In 2011, 88% of the population was Christian, primarily [[Roman Catholic]] (71%). The remaining 17% were [[Protestant]], primarily [[Evangelicals]]. In Latin America, Protestants are usually called ''"evangélicos"''. 8% of Venezuelans are irreligious. Almost 3% of the population follow another religion. 1% of the population practice [[Santería]].<ref name="grumilla" />

There are small but influential Muslim, [[Druze]],<ref name="Khalifa 2013 loc=6-7">{{Harvnb|Khalifa|2013|loc=6-7}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/more-venezuelans-immigrate-lebanon-crisis-escalates-n783106|title=As crisis deepens, more Venezuelans are emigrating to Lebanon|website=NBC News|date=18 July 2017}}</ref> Buddhist, and Jewish communities. The Muslim community of more than 100,000 is concentrated among persons of [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] and [[Syrian people|Syrian]] descent living in [[Nueva Esparta]] state, [[Punto Fijo]] and the [[Caracas]] area. Venezuela is home to the largest Druze communities outside the Middle East, estimated at around 60,000,<ref name="Los Angeles Times">{{cite web |date=6 April 2021 |title=Sending relief--and a message of inclusion and love—to our Druze sisters and brothers |url=https://www.juf.org/news/jerusalem.aspx?id=451177 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> and concentrated among persons of [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] and [[Syrian people|Syrian]] descent.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tariq Alaiseme [reportedly to be] vice-president of Venezuela|url=http://www.al-amama.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1110|date=2013|publisher=Aamama|language=ar|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=20 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520160230/http://www.al-amama.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1110}}: Referring governor [[Tareck El Aissami]].</ref><ref name="Khalifa 2013 loc=6-7" /> Buddhism is practiced by over 52,000 people. The Buddhist community is made up mainly of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people.

The Jewish community has shrunk in recent years from 22,000 in 1999<ref name="TOERaid">{{cite news |last1=Rueda |first1=Jorge |date=4 December 2007 |title=Jewish leaders condemn police raid on community center in Venezuela |url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/world/20071204-1410-venezuela-raid.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408072903/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/world/20071204-1410-venezuela-raid.html |archive-date=8 April 2015 |access-date=8 April 2015 |agency=[[U-T San Diego]]}}</ref> to less than 7,000 in 2015,<ref name="AJjan2015">{{cite news |date=2 January 2015 |title=ADL Denounces Anti-Semitic Graffiti Sprayed on Synagogue in Venezuela |url=http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/01/02/adl-denounces-anti-semitic-graffiti-sprayed-on-synagogue-in-venezuela/ |access-date=4 January 2015 |agency=[[Algemeiner Journal]]}}</ref> due to rising economic pressures and allegedly, according to the US-based [[Anti-Defamation League]], to [[antisemitism in Venezuela]].<ref name=Hurricane>{{cite journal|author=Thor Halvorssen Mendoza|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/903jhsjt.asp?pg=1|title=Hurricane Hugo|journal=[[The Weekly Standard]]|date=8 August 2005|volume=10|number=44|access-date=20 November 2010|author-link=Thor Halvorssen Mendoza|archive-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520091903/http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/903jhsjt.asp?pg=1}}</ref><ref name=SRI>[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2004/venezuela.htm Annual Report 2004: Venezuela.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023195546/http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2004/venezuela.htm |date=23 October 2006}} [[Stephen Roth Institute]]. Accessed 11 August 2006.</ref><ref>Berrios, Jerry. [http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=11060 S. Fla. Venezuelans: Chavez incites anti-Semitism.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306053937/http://pewforum.org/news/display.php?NewsID=11060 |date=6 March 2008}} ''Miami Herald'', 10 August 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.adl.org/main_International_Affairs/venezuela_anti_semitism_report.htm The Chavez Regime: Fostering Anti-Semitism and Supporting Radical Islam.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604042755/http://www.adl.org/main_International_Affairs/venezuela_anti_semitism_report.htm |date=4 June 2011}} [[Anti-Defamation League]], 6 November 2006. Accessed 3 April 2008.</ref> 

=== Health ===
{{Main|Health in Venezuela}}

{{See also|Healthcare in Venezuela|Mission Barrio Adentro}}
[[File:Camineria hacia el Hospital Universitario de Caracas, UCV, Venezuela septiembre 2023 (2).jpg|thumb|312x312px|University Hospital, [[Central University of Venezuela]]]]
Venezuela has a national [[universal health care]] system. The current government has created a program to expand access to health care known as [[Mission Barrio Adentro|Misión Barrio Adentro]],<ref name="Venezuela Information Office">{{cite web |publisher=Venezuela Information Office |year=2007 |title=Health Care for All: Venezuela's Health Missions at Work |url=http://www.rethinkvenezuela.com/downloads/Healthcare%20for%20All.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614053914/http://www.rethinkvenezuela.com/downloads/Healthcare%20for%20All.htm |archive-date=14 June 2008 |access-date=18 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/1114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512013213/http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/1114|archive-date=12 May 2009|title=Barrio adentro a look at the origins of a social mission|last=Castro|first=Arachu|publisher=David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University|year=2008|access-date=29 January 2009}}</ref> although its efficiency and work conditions have been criticized.<ref name="MBAeu">{{cite news|title=Cabildo Metropolitano evaluará funcionamiento de Barrio Adentro|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/caracas/140506/cabildo-metropolitano-evaluara-funcionamiento-de-barrio-adentro|access-date=7 May 2014|newspaper=El Universal|date=6 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/144581/siete-medicos-cubanos-demandan-a-cuba-y-venezuela-por-esclavitud-moderna/|title=Siete médicos cubanos demandan a Cuba y Venezuela por "esclavitud moderna"|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918162858/http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/144581/siete-medicos-cubanos-demandan-a-cuba-y-venezuela-por-esclavitud-moderna/|archive-date=18 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="ABCnov2014">{{cite news|last1=Vinogradoff|first1=Ludmila|title=16 November 2014|url=http://www.abc.es/internacional/20141112/abci-medicos-cubanos-desertores-en-masa-venezuela-201411111936.html|access-date=16 November 2014|agency=ABC (Spanish)|date=13 November 2014}}</ref> As of December 2014 an estimated 80% of Barrio Adentro establishments in Venezuela are abandoned.<ref>Matheus, Ricardo. [http://www.2001.com.ve/registro_noticias.asp?registro=81599&sw=1 Abandonados 70% de módulos de BA] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004706/http://www.2001.com.ve/registro_noticias.asp?registro=81599&sw=1 |date=27 September 2007}} ''[[Diario 2001]]'' (29 July 2007).</ref><ref name="LPdec2014">{{cite news|title=El 80% de los módulos de Barrio Adentro del país está cerrado|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/12/08/el-80-de-los-modulos-de-barrio-adentro-del-pais-esta-cerrado/|access-date=8 December 2014|agency=La Patilla|date=8 December 2014}}</ref>

[[Infant mortality]] in Venezuela was 19 deaths per 1,000 births for 2014, which was lower than the South American average. To compare: The U.S. figure was 6 deaths per 1,000 births in 2013.<ref name="ciawfb" /> In 2006, child [[malnutrition]] was 17%. [[Delta Amacuro]] and [[Amazonas (Venezuelan state)|Amazonas]] had the nation's highest rates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/ven-e.stm |title=Venezuela |access-date=21 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318223523/http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/ven-e.stm |archive-date=18 March 2007}}. FAO.org.</ref> In 2018, 32% of Venezuelans lacked adequate sanitation, primarily those living in rural areas.<ref>[http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/venezuela_statistics.html Venezuela] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117222151/https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/venezuela_statistics.html |date=17 January 2018}}. Unicef.org.</ref> In 2006, diseases ranging from [[diphtheria]], [[Plague (disease)|plague]], [[malaria]],<ref name="Finnegan" /> [[typhoid]] fever, [[yellow fever]], [[cholera]], [[hepatitis A]], [[hepatitis B]], and [[hepatitis D]] were present in the country.<ref name="guardian1">[https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/oct/25/venezuela.essentialinfo Venezuela] Guardian. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2006.</ref> In 2021, [[obesity]] was prevalent in approximately 30% of the adult population.<ref name="ciawfb" />

In 2004, Venezuela had 150 [[Water supply and sanitation in Venezuela|sewage treatment plants]]. 13% of the population lacked access to drinking water, but this number had been dropping.{{sfn|Chávez|2004}}{{primary source inline|date=October 2022}}

During the economic crisis observed under President Maduro's presidency, medical professionals were forced to perform outdated treatments on patients, and electricity blackouts also affect care.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dreier|first1=Hannah|title=Mastectomies on the rise in Venezuela amid economic crisis|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9b2d9fe90c114e7b9b9a93854e81532f/mastectomies-rise-venezuela-amid-economic-crisis|access-date=24 March 2015|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=24 March 2015|archive-date=28 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328041154/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/9b2d9fe90c114e7b9b9a93854e81532f/mastectomies-rise-venezuela-amid-economic-crisis}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Venezuela}}

[[File:Illiteracy in Venezuela.svg|thumb|Venezuela's illiteracy rate, based on data from UNESCO<ref name="unesco1988">{{cite web|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0008/000815/081521mb.pdf|title=Compendium of statistics on illiteracy|year=1988|author=UNESCO|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="unesco-uis">{{cite web|url=http://data.uis.unesco.org|title=UIS.Stat|publisher=UNESCO INSTITUTE FOR STATISTICS|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> and the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) of Venezuela.<ref name="ortega">{{cite journal |last1=Daniel |first1=Ortega |last2=Rodríguez |first2=Francisco |date=October 2008 |title=Freed from Illiteracy? A Closer Look at Venezuela's Misión Robinson Literacy Campaign |journal=Economic Development and Cultural Change |volume= 57|issue=1 |pages=1–30 |doi=10.1086/590461 |s2cid=143581685}}</ref>]]

In 2008, 95.2% of the adult population was literate.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org">{{cite web|url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_VEN.html|title=Human Development Report 2009 – Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)|publisher=Hdrstats.undp.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218153602/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_VEN.html|archive-date=18 February 2010|access-date=25 April 2010}}</ref> The net primary school enrollment rate was at 91% and the net secondary school enrollment rate was at 63% in 2005.<ref name="hdrstats.undp.org" /> Venezuela has a number of universities, of which the most prestigious are the [[Central University of Venezuela]] founded in 1721, the [[University of Zulia]], the [[University of the Andes (Venezuela)|University of the Andes]], [[Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela)|Simón Bolívar University]], and the [[Universidad de Oriente|University of the East]].

Currently, many Venezuelan graduates seek a future abroad because of the country's troubled economy and heavy crime rate. Over 1.35 million Venezuelan college graduates have left the country since the beginning of the [[Bolivarian Revolution]].<ref name=ENHaug28 /><ref name=Elimpulso23AUG /> It is believed that nearly 12% of Venezuelans live abroad, with Ireland becoming a popular destination for students.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=Joshua |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuelas-best-brightest-camp-sidewalks-22308016 |title=Venezuela's Best and Brightest Camp on Sidewalks|newspaper=ABC News|date=31 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209121314/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/venezuelas-best-brightest-camp-sidewalks-22308016|archive-date=9 February 2014|access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref> According to Claudio Bifano, president of the Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, more than half of all medical graduates had left Venezuela in 2013.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Capacity building: Architects of South American science|journal=Nature|volume=510|issue=7504 |pages=209–212|last1=Arzt|first1=E.|last2=Orjeda|first2=G.|last3=Nobre|first3=C.|last4=Castilla|first4=J.C. |last5=Barañao|first5=L.|last6=Ribeiro|first6=S. |last7=Bifano|first7=C.|last8=Krieger|first8=J.E. |last9=Guerrero|first9=P.C. |date=12 June 2014|doi=10.1038/510209a|pmid=24926500|s2cid=38221305 |access-date=9 July 2014 |url=http://www.nature.com/polopoly_fs/1.15377!/menu/main/topColumns/topLeftColumn/pdf/510209a.pdf}}</ref>

By 2018, over half of all Venezuelan children had [[dropped out]] of school, with 58% of students quitting nationwide. Areas near bordering countries had more than 80% of their students leave.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Deserción escolar se ubica en 58% en todo el país|date=1 July 2018|work=[[La Patilla]]|language=es |url=https://www.lapatilla.com/2018/07/17/desercion-escolar-se-ubica-en-58-en-todo-el-pais/|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Deserción escolar alcanza el 58% en todo el país|work=Contexto Diario|language=es|url=http://contextodiario.com/venezuela/desercion-escolar-alcanza-el-58-en-todo-el-pais/|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718114550/http://contextodiario.com/venezuela/desercion-escolar-alcanza-el-58-en-todo-el-pais/}}</ref> Nationwide, about 93% of schools do not meet the minimum requirements to operate and 77% do not have utilities such as food, water or electricity.<ref name=":2" />

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Venezuela}}

[[File:Joropo foto.jpg|thumb|[[Joropo|Música Llanera]] is the most popular folk genre, and the cowboy music, of Venezuela. Depiction of a Llanera band in 1912.]]
The culture of Venezuela is a melting pot made up of three main groups: The Indigenous Venezuelans, the Spanish, and the Africans.

The Spanish influence predominates due to the colonization process and the socioeconomic structure it created. Spanish influences can be seen in the country's architecture, music, religion, and language. The Africans brought in many musical influences, especially introduction of the drum.

Venezuela was also enriched by immigration streams of European origin in the 19th century, especially from France. Most recently, {{When|date=October 2025|reason=vague}} immigration from the United States, Spain, Italy, and Portugal has enriched the already complex cultural mosaic.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

=== Architecture ===
[[File:Casco Central Santa Ana de Coro, estado Falcon, Venezuela.jpg|The historic center of [[Coro, Venezuela|Coro]], a UNESCO [[World Heritage Sites by country|World Heritage Site]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gasparini |first=Graziano |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lV0wAQAAIAAJ&q=coro+patrimonio+mundial |title=Coro: patrimonio mundial |date=1994 |publisher=Armitano |isbn=978-980-216-125-6 |language=es}}</ref> is an example of [[Spanish Colonial architecture|Spanish colonial architecture]] in Venezuela.|thumb]]
[[File:Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Chiquinquira.jpg|[[Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, Maracaibo|Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá]], built between 1686 and completed in 1858, where is kept the colonial image of the [[Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá|Virgin of Chiquinquirá]], in [[Maracaibo]]|thumb]]
[[Carlos Raúl Villanueva]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dembo |first=Nancy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m7qettmYF_UC&q=carlos+raul+villanueva+arquitecto |title=La tectónica en la obra de Carlos Raúl Villanueva: aproximación en tres tiempos |date=2006 |publisher=CDCH UCV |isbn=978-980-00-2336-5 |language=es}}</ref> was the most important Venezuelan architect of the modern era; he designed the Central University of Venezuela, (a [[World Heritage Site]]) and its Aula Magna. Other notable architectural works include the Capitolio, the [[Baralt Theatre]], the [[Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex]], and the [[General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge]]. In Venezuela, [[Prehistory|prehistoric]] man began to build useful architecture from approximately 1000 BC to the 15th century AD, in the period known as the "Neo-Indian". Neo-Indian architecture consisted of incipient constructions, such as [[Terrace (earthworks)|agricultural terraces]] and vaults lined by stones, called mintoyes, which were used as tombs and silos for the storage of agricultural products. The Indo-Hispanic architecture is the one that begins to develop from the year 1498 AD.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lucca |first=Rafael Arráiz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0hJ5DwAAQBAJ&q=espa%C3%B1oles+venezuela+1498 |title=Venezuela: 1498-1728: Conquista y urbanización |date=15 February 2016 |publisher=Editorial Alfa |isbn=978-84-16687-13-8 |language=es}}</ref> Venezuelan colonial architecture is built from the 16th century, when Venezuela began to be a dependent colony of the [[Spanish Empire]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gasparini |first=Graziano |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eMQYAAAAYAAJ&q=arquitectura+colonial+venezuela |title=La arquitectura colonial en Venezuela |date=1965 |publisher=Ediciones Armitano |language=es}}</ref> until 1810, when the process of Venezuelan independence began.

The architecture of this period is characterized by its discreet modesty, with the exception of some cities. The explanation lies in the socioeconomic conditions of the [[country]]. Venezuela did not offer then to the colonizers the immense riches kept by nature for later times. The simplification of technical problems, the renunciation of most of the decorative elements and variegated ostentations of fanciful baroque, the impossibility of using [[Cost|expensive]] materials and the consequent lack of craftsmen, contributed to establish a modest but well-defined physiognomy of the colonial architecture of Venezuela. During the [[Colonialism|colonial]] period, there were eventually confrontations between the Spanish conquerors and the barbarians and pirates that sailed along the Venezuelan coasts, in order to take over the provinces located on the coasts of the country.

[[Christians|Christian]] temples from the colonial era were constituted by an almost invariable arrangement consisting of a rectangular plan, three naves separated by arches of [[alfarje]] roofing composed of religious architecture in colonial times. The Venezuelan society dedicated a great amount of resources to erect religious monuments comparable to those of other countries of the continent. The XVII century was of reconstruction of the [[Catholic Church|Catholic churches]] that had been destroyed by the earthquake of 1641. In the 18th century, specifically between 1728 and 1785, the prosperity that Venezuela enjoyed due to the opening of the [[Guipuzcoan Company of Caracas|Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ojanguren |first=Montserrat Gárate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K_NUAAAACAAJ |title=La Real Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas |date=1990 |publisher=Sociedad Guipuzcoana de Ediciones y Publicaciones |isbn=978-84-7173-156-2 |language=es}}</ref> was also reflected in the construction of new architecture, especially of a religious nature.

=== Art ===
{{Main|Venezuelan art}}

[[File:Antonio Herrera Toro Autoretrato 1880.JPG|thumb|upright|right|[[Antonio Herrera Toro]], self portrait 1880]]

[[Venezuelan art]] was initially dominated by religious motifs. However, in the late 19th century, artists began emphasizing historical and heroic representations of the country's struggle for independence.{{sfn|Ng|2004|p=31}}{{sfn|Aponte|2008|p=45}} This move was led by [[Martín Tovar y Tovar]].{{sfn|Aponte|2008|p=45}}{{sfn|Tarver|Frederick|2006|p=10}} [[Modernism]] took over in the 20th century.{{sfn|Tarver|Frederick|2006|p=10}} Notable [[List of Venezuelan artists|Venezuelan artists]] include [[Arturo Michelena]], [[Cristóbal Rojas (artist)|Cristóbal Rojas]], [[Armando Reverón]], [[Manuel Cabré]]; the [[kinetic art]]ists [[Jesús-Rafael Soto|Jesús Soto]], [[Gego]] and [[Carlos Cruz-Diez]];{{sfn|Tarver|Frederick|2006|p=10}} and contemporary artists such as [[Marisol Escobar|Marisol]] and [[Yucef Merhi]].{{sfn|Fichner-Ratus|2012|p=519}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Silvera|first=Yohana|url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/Nota/41697/Poesia-En-Objetos|title=Poesía en objetos|publisher=TalCualDigital|date=10 June 2010|access-date=24 July 2015|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724162507/http://www.talcualdigital.com/Nota/41697/Poesia-En-Objetos|archive-date=24 July 2015}}</ref>

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Venezuelan literature}}

[[Venezuelan literature]] originated soon after the Spanish conquest of the mostly pre-literate Indigenous societies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latintrails.com/venezuela-info|title=Information|publisher=Latin Trails|access-date=1 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702042820/http://www.latintrails.com/venezuela-info|archive-date=2 July 2015}}</ref> It was originally dominated by [[Culture of Spain|Spanish influences]]. Following the rise of political literature during the Venezuelan War of Independence, Venezuelan [[Romanticism]], notably expounded by Juan Vicente González, emerged as the first important genre in the region. Although mainly focused on narrative writing, Venezuelan literature was advanced by poets such as [[Andrés Eloy Blanco]] and [[Fermín Toro]].

Major writers and novelists include [[Rómulo Gallegos]], [[Teresa de la Parra]], [[Arturo Uslar Pietri]], [[Adriano González León]], [[Miguel Otero Silva]], and [[Mariano Picón Salas]]. The great poet and humanist [[Andrés Bello]] was also an educator and intellectual (He was also a childhood tutor and mentor of [[Simón Bolívar]]). Others, such as [[Laureano Vallenilla Lanz]] and [[José Gil Fortoul]], contributed to Venezuelan [[Positivism]].

=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Venezuela}}

[[File:2952-Danzas Guanaguanare de Venezuela no Festival folclorico da Coruña. (8200095256).jpg|thumb|The Guanaguanare dance, a popular dance in [[Portuguesa (state)|Portuguesa State]]]]

The Indigenous musical styles of Venezuela are exemplified by groups like Un Solo Pueblo and [[Serenata Guayanesa]]. The national musical instrument is the [[Cuatro (Venezuela)|cuatro]]. Traditional musical styles and songs mainly emerged in and around the llanos region, including "Alma llanera" (by [[Pedro Elías Gutiérrez]] and [[Rafael Bolívar Coronado]]), "Florentino y el diablo" (by [[Alberto Arvelo Torrealba]]), "Concierto en la llanura" by [[Juan Vicente Torrealba]], and [[Caballo Viejo|"Caballo viejo"]] (by [[Simón Díaz]]).

The [[Gaita zuliana|Zulian gaita]] is also a very popular genre, generally performed during Christmas. The national dance is the [[joropo]].{{sfn|Cortés|2013|p=2134}} Venezuela has always been a melting pot of cultures and this can be seen in the richness and variety of its musical styles and dances: [[Calypso music|calipso]], [[bambuco]], [[fulía]], cantos de pilado de maíz, cantos de lavanderas, sebucán, and maremare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turpialtravel.com/countries/key-facts-venezuela.html|title=Key Facts Venezuela|publisher=Turpial Travel & Adventure|access-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016050959/http://www.turpialtravel.com/countries/key-facts-venezuela.html|archive-date=16 October 2015}}</ref> [[Teresa Carreño]] was a world-famous 19th century piano virtuoso. Recently, great classical music performances have come out of Venezuela. The [[Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra]] has hosted a number of excellent concerts in many European concert halls, most notably at the 2007 London [[The Proms|Proms]], and has received several honors. The orchestra is the pinnacle of [[El Sistema]], a publicly financed, voluntary music education program now being emulated in other countries.

In the early 21st century, a movement known as "Movida Acústica Urbana" featured musicians trying to save some national traditions, creating their own original songs but using traditional instruments.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eluniversal.com/arte-y-entretenimiento/141208/rock-and-mau-sonara-bajo-las-nubes-de-calder|title=Rock and MAU sonará bajo las nubes de Calder|newspaper=El Universal|date=8 December 2014|access-date=13 July 2015 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Fernández B.|first=María Gabriela|url=http://www.eluniversal.com/arte-y-entretenimiento/150314/el-jazz-es-el-lenguaje-universal-de-la-musica-popular|title=El jazz es el lenguaje universal de la música popular|newspaper=El Universal|date=14 March 2015|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> Some groups following this movement are Tambor Urbano,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Olsen|first1=Dale|last2=Sheehy|first2=Daniel|title=The Garland Handbook of Latin American Music|date=2007|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-90008-3|page=32}}</ref> Los Sinverguenzas, C4Trío, and Orozco Jam.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Christie|first1=Jan Fairley|title=Living politics, making music: the writings of Jan Fairley|date=2014|isbn=978-1-4724-1266-9|page=113|publisher=Ashgate Publishing}}</ref>

Afro-Venezuelan musical traditions are most intimately related to the festivals of the "black folk saints" San Juan and [[Benedict the Moor|St. Benedict the Moor]]. Specific songs are related to the different stages of their festivals and processions, when the saints start their yearly "''paseo"'' – stroll – through the community.

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Venezuela}}

{{See also|Baseball in Venezuela|Football in Venezuela}}
[[File:Estadio Monumental de Caracas Simon Bolivar Feb 2023 Venezuela (5).jpg|[[Monumental Stadium of Caracas Simón Bolívar]] is used by the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League]] and has a capacity of approximately 40,000 spectators.|thumb]]
The origins of baseball in Venezuela are unclear, although it is known that the sport was being played in the country by the late 19th century.{{sfn|Nichols|Morse|2010|p=306}} In the early 20th century, North American immigrants who came to Venezuela to work in the nation's oil industry helped to popularize the sport in Venezuela.{{sfn|Wardrope|2003|p=37}} During the 1930s, baseball's popularity continued to rise in the country, leading to the foundation of the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League]] (LVBP) in 1945, and the sport would soon become the nation's most popular.{{sfn|Jozsa|2013|p=12}}{{sfn|Gibson|2006|p=18}}

The popularity of baseball in the country makes Venezuela a rarity among its South American neighbors—association football is the dominant sport in the continent.{{sfn|Wardrope|2003|p=37}}{{sfn|Gibson|2006|p=18}}{{sfn|Nichols|Morse|2010|p=307}} However, football, as well as [[basketball]], are among the more popular sports played in Venezuela.{{sfn|Aalgaard|2004|p=54}} Venezuela hosted the [[2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men|2012 Basketball World Olympic Qualifying Tournament]] and the [[FIBA Americas Championship|2013 FIBA Basketball Americas Championship]], which took place in the [[Poliedro de Caracas]].

Although not as popular in Venezuela as the rest of South America, football, spearheaded by the [[Venezuela national football team]] is gaining popularity as well. The sport is also noted for having an increased focus during the World Cup.{{sfn|Aalgaard|2004|p=54}} Venezuela is scheduled to host the [[Copa América]] every 40 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conmebol.com/articulos_ver.jsp?id=61730&slangab=E|title=Copa America: a new cycle begins and the revolving calendar remains|publisher=CONMEBOL|date=21 December 2007|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205191359/http://www.conmebol.com/articulos_ver.jsp?id=61730&slangab=E|archive-date=5 December 2008}}</ref>

Venezuela is also home to former [[Formula 1]] driver, [[Pastor Maldonado]].<ref name="Strickland2015">{{cite web|last=Strickland|first=Jamie|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/32275593|title=Pastor Maldonado: Does 'Crashtor' deserve his bad reputation?|publisher=BBC|date=12 April 2015|access-date=6 July 2015}}</ref> Maldonado has increased the reception of Formula 1 in Venezuela, helping to popularize the sport in the country.<ref>{{cite web|last=Montiel|first=Santiago|url=http://spartannewsroom.com/changeup/article/blog/formula-1-needs-more-attention-united-states|title=Formula 1 needs more attention in the United States|publisher=Spartan Newsroon|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706181313/http://spartannewsroom.com/changeup/article/blog/formula-1-needs-more-attention-united-states|archive-date=6 July 2015}}</ref>

In the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], [[Rubén Limardo]] won a gold medal in [[Fencing at the 2012 Summer Olympics|fencing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/fencing/fencer-ruben-limardo-returns-to-heros-welcome-in-venezuela.html|title=Fencer Ruben Limardo returns to hero's welcome in Venezuela|publisher=NBC Olympics|date=7 August 2012|access-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807221821/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/fencing/fencer-ruben-limardo-returns-to-heros-welcome-in-venezuela.html|archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref>

In the Winter Sports, [[Cesar Baena]] had represented the country since 2008 in Nordic Skiing, the first South American skier to compete in a FIS Cross Country Ski World Cup on Düsseldorf 2009.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Venezuela}}
* [[Outline of Venezuela]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|4}}

== Bibliography ==
=== Articles ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite journal|last=Cannon|first=Barry|title=Venezuela, April 2002: Coup or Popular Rebellion? The Myth of a United Venezuela|date=21 June 2004|journal=[[Bulletin of Latin American Research]]|volume=23|issue=3 |pages=285–302 |doi=10.1111/j.0261-3050.2004.00109.x|s2cid=56445250|doi-access=free}}
{{refend}}

=== Books ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
*{{cite book |last=Aalgaard |first=Wendy |title=Venezuela in Pictures |year=2004 |publisher=Lerner Pub Group |isbn=978-0-8225-1172-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jSlsKvev-QkC}}
*{{cite book |last=Aponte |first=Pedro Rafael |title=The Invention of the National in Venezuelan Art Music, 1920–1960 |year=2008 |publisher=University of Pittsburgh |isbn=978-1-109-05320-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gk8N_C1Gk48C |access-date=2 July 2015 |archive-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106184644/https://books.google.com/books?id=Gk8N_C1Gk48C}}
* Carroll, Rory. ''Comandante: Hugo Chávez's Venezuela'' (Penguin Books, 2014).
*{{cite book |last=Chasteen |first=John Charles |title=Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America |year=2001 |publisher=Norton |isbn=978-0-393-05048-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/borninbloodfirec00chas |url-access=registration}}
*{{cite book |last=Chávez |first=Hugo |author-link=Hugo Chávez |title=Cumpliendo las metas del milenio |year=2004 |publisher=CDBpublicaciones |isbn=978-980-6456-12-9 |language=es |url=http://www.gobiernoenlinea.ve/misc-view/sharedfiles/Metas_Milenio.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511182837/http://www.gobiernoenlinea.ve/misc-view/sharedfiles/Metas_Milenio.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2011}}
*{{cite book |last=Coronil |first=Fernando |author-link=Fernando Coronil |title=The magical state: nature, money, and modernity in Venezuela |year=1988 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-11602-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ecTWdRNSJCcC}}
*{{cite book |last=Cortés |first=Carlos E. |title=Multicultural America: A Multimedia Encyclopedia |year=2013 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-4522-1683-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VQ1zAwAAQBAJ |access-date=30 June 2015}}
*{{cite book |last=Crow |first=JA |title=Epic of Latin America |year=1980 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-04107-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/epicoflatinameri00crow |url-access=registration}}
*{{cite book |last=Dickey |first=John Marcus |title=Christopher Columbus and his monument Columbia: being a concordance of choice tributes to the great Genoese, his grand discovery, and his greatness of mind and purpose |year=1892 |publisher=Rand, McNally & Co. |isbn=978-1-4460-2044-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/christophercolum00dick |access-date=1 July 2015}}
*{{cite book |last1=Dydynski |first1=Krzysztof |last2=Beech |first2=Charlotte |title=Venezuela |year=2004 |publisher=Lonely Planet Publications |isbn=978-1-74104-197-2}}
*{{cite book |last=Ewell |first=Judith |title=Venezuela: A Century of Change |year=1984 |publisher=C. Hurst & Co |isbn=978-0-905838-36-6}}
*{{cite book |last=Fichner-Ratus |first=Lois |title=Understanding Art |year=2012 |edition=10th |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1-111-83695-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oVAKAAAAQBAJ}}
*{{cite book |title=Georgia Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments |year=2013 |publisher=Int'l Business Publications, USA |isbn=978-1-4387-7443-5 |ref={{sfnRef|''Georgia Country Study Guide Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments''|2013}} |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hQWWBQAAQBAJ}}
*{{cite book |last=Gibson |first=Karen Bush |title=Venezuela: A Question and Answer Book |year=2006 |publisher=Capstone |isbn=978-0-7368-6413-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKl7nfQPb3wC}}
*{{cite book |last=Gott |first=Richard |title=Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution |year=2005 |publisher=Verso |isbn=978-1-84467-533-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ft6AyMxG4JEC}}
*{{cite book |last=Gregory |first=Desmond |title=Brute New World: The Rediscovery of Latin America in the Early 19th Century |year=1992 |publisher=British American Press |isbn=978-1-85043-567-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V2hBAHD9BOUC |access-date=30 June 2015}}
*{{cite book |last=Heritage |first=Andrew |title=Financial Times World Desk Reference |date=December 2002 |publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |isbn=978-0-7894-8805-3}}
*{{cite book |last=Jozsa |first=Frank P. Jr. |title=Baseball beyond Borders: From Distant Lands to the Major Leagues |year=2013 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-9245-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wULyAAAAQBAJ}}
*{{cite book |last1=Kelly |first1=Janet |last2=Palma |first2=Perdo A. |editor1-last=McCoy |editor1-first=Jennifer L. |editor2-last=Myers |editor2-first=David J. |title=The Unraveling of Representative Democracy in Venezuela |year=2006 |publisher=[[Johns Hopkins University Press]] |chapter=Chapter 10: The Syndrome of Economic Decline and the Quest for Change |isbn=978-0-8018-8428-3 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rtJVhJZF6WgC}}
*{{cite book |last=Kipfer |first=Barbara Ann |title=Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology |year=2000 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-306-46158-3}}
*{{cite book |last=López Maya |first=Margarita |chapter=Venezuela 2002–2003: Polarisation, Confrontation, and Violence |editor-last=Goumbri |editor-first=Olivia Burlingame |title=The Venezuela Reader: The Building of a People's Democracy |year=2005 |publisher=Epica Task Force |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-918346-35-3}}
*{{cite book |last1=Márquez |first1=Laureano |title=Historieta de Venezuela: De Macuro a Maduro |last2=Eduardo |first2=Sanabria |publisher=Gráficas Pedrazas |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-7328777-1-9 |edition=1st |chapter=La democracia pierde energía |author-link=Laureano Márquez}}
*{{cite book |last=Massabié |first=Germán |title=Venezuela: A Petro-State Using Renewable Energies |year=2008 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-531-15994-2}}
*{{cite book |last=McBeth |first=B. S. |title=Juan Vicente Gómez and the Oil Companies in Venezuela, 1908–1935 |year=2002 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn=978-0-521-89218-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZU71u8ZKvnEC}}
*{{cite book |last=Ng |first=Yumi |title=Welcome to Venezuela |year=2004 |publisher=Gareth Stevens Publishing |isbn=978-0-8368-3123-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/welcometovenezue00ngyu |url-access=registration |access-date=2 July 2015}}
*{{cite book |last1=Nichols |first1=Elizabeth Gackstetter |last2=Morse |first2=Kimberley J. |title=Venezuela |year=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-569-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Cq-5QRDNVDEC}}
*{{cite book |last=Salas |first=Miguel Tinker |editor=Gilbert G. Gonzalez |editor2=Raul A. Fernandez |editor3=Vivian Price |editor4=David Smith |editor5=Linda Trinh Võ |title=Labor Versus Empire: Race, Gender, Migration |date=2 August 2004 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-93528-3 |chapter=Culture, Power, and Oil: The Experience of Venezuelan Oil Camps and the Construction of Citizenship |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6-1QnKS6xG4C}}
*{{cite book |last=Salas |first=Miguel Tinker |title=Venezuela: What Everyone Needs to KnowRG |year=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-978328-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FTFmBgAAQBAJ}}
* Schincariol, Vitor Eduardo. ''Society and Economy in Venezuela: An Overview of the Bolivarian Period (1998-2018).'' (2020).
*{{cite book |last=Stoan |first=Stephen K. |title=Pablo Morillo and Venezuela, 1815–1820 |year=1974 |publisher=Ohio State University Press |isbn=978-0-8142-0219-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/pablomorilloand00stoagoog}}
* Straka, Tomás, Guillermo Guzmán Mirabal, and Alejandro E. Cáceres. ''Historical Dictionary of Venezuela'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017).
*{{cite book |last1=Tarver |first1=H. Michael |last2=Frederick |first2=Julia C. |title=The History of Venezuela |year=2006 |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |isbn=978-1-4039-6260-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofvenezue0000tarv |access-date=2 July 2015}}
*{{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Hugh |title=Rivers of Gold: The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan |year=2005 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-375-50204-0 |url=https://archive.org/details/riversofgoldrise00thom}}
*{{cite book |last=Wardrope |first=William |title=Venezuela |year=2003 |publisher=Gareth Stevens Publishing |isbn=978-0-8368-2369-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zlckFMNHGTUC}}
* Wilpert, Gregory. ''Changing Venezuela by taking power: the history and policies of the Chavez government'' (2007) [https://archive.org/details/changingvenezuel00wilp online]
*{{cite book |last=Warhol |first=Tom |title=Tundra |year=2006 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |isbn=978-0-7614-2193-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oYUc7o43cuAC}}
*{{cite book |last=Wunder |first=Sven |title=Oil wealth and the fate of the forest: a comparative study of eight tropical countries |year=2003 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-203-98667-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n2nQ0A8BmCYC}}
*{{cite book |last=Yergin |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Yergin |title=The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power |year=1991 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4391-1012-6 |title-link=The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power}}
*{{cite book |last=Zakaria |first=Fareed |author-link=Fareed Zakaria |title=From Wealth to Power |year=1999 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-01035-9}}
*{{cite book |last=Zamora |first=Margarita |title=Reading Columbus |year=1993 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-08297-7 |url=http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft009nb0cv&doc.view=content&chunk.id=d0e2655&toc.depth=1&anchor.id=0&brand=eschol |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511090548/http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft009nb0cv&doc.view=content&chunk.id=d0e2655&toc.depth=1&anchor.id=0&brand=eschol |archive-date=11 May 2011 |access-date=23 April 2010}}
{{refend}}

=== Talks and interviews ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web |author=Lander, Edgardo |author-link=Edgardo Lander |date=April 2014 |title=''The Modern History of Venezuela (9 parts)'' |url=http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=832&Itemid=74&jumival=1168 |access-date=10 May 2017 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010114526/http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=832&Itemid=74&jumival=1168}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy=Venezuela}}
* [http://gobiernoenlinea.gob.ve/ Official Government Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604135809/http://gobiernoenlinea.gob.ve/ |date=4 June 2023}} {{in lang|es}} 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055048/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-v/venezuela.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members] 
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/venezuela/ Venezuela]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080607090601/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/venezuela.htm Venezuela] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' 
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/vetoc.html Venezuela] from the Library of Congress Country Studies (1990) 
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1229345.stm Venezuela profile] from the [[BBC News]] 
* {{osmrelation-inline|272644|bullet=no}} {{in lang|sv}} 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130116234858/http://www.cartografareilpresente.org/rubrique109.html?lang=en Maps on Venezuela – Cartographic features] 
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=VE Key Development Forecasts for Venezuela] from [[International Futures]] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131218043924/http://www.immigrationtovenezuela.com.ve/index.php/2013-10-02-22-52-18/2013-10-02-22-58-18 Venezuela and Tourism] from immigrationtovenezuela.com.ve {{in lang|ar}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Venezuela}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20240521025030/https://www.unhcr.org/emergencies/venezuela-situation Venezuela situation - emergency appeal]

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{{Administrative divisions of Venezuela}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Venezuela}}
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