June 29, 2017 | A protester sits in front of an improvised barricade during a protest against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, the nation’s capital. Maduro has been in power since April of 2013 and presents himself as an heir to Hugo Chavez and his socialist economic and social politics. Once the richest country in South America, Venezuela’s economy is currently undergoing a crisis so severe that its currency has lost 99.8% of its value in the past five years.
(Alejandro Cegarra for USN&WR)
May 27, 2017 | Demonstrators ride a van to a protest meeting point in Caracas. Much of the country's economic issues are rooted in policies put in place by former President Hugo Chavez and maintained by current President Nicolas Maduro. Anti-government demonstrators have been calling for elections in hopes of ousting Maduro.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
May 20, 2017 | An effigy of the Virgin Mary adorns a protester’s shield during a demonstration in the Venezuelan capital.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 8, 2017 | Franklin arrived at the Hospital Clínico Universitario in Caracas with two legs. He is now missing one, while his other leg is damaged due to a bone infection left untreated from the severe lack of medical supplies in the country. On top of that, Franklin must purchase his own food, and most of his medical supplies, covering virtually all of his treatment by himself.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 29, 2017 | Graffiti of former President Hugo Chavez frames the Petare slum, one of the largest in the world. Though he lifted many out of poverty, Chavez’ economic policies are often blamed for the current crisis in Venezuela.
(Alejandro Cegarra for USN&WR)
April 21, 2017 | Empty shelves line a grocery store as a result of looting in the La Vega neighborhood of Caracas. According to a study conducted in August 2016, over 21 million people, or 72.1% of the country’s population, is unable to properly feed itself. Food supplies have become so scarce, they are often traded on the black market and unaffordable for most.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
May 20, 2017 | Members of the Bolivarian National Guard chase protesters in Caracas. President Maduro was able to keep the Venezuelan military’s loyalty by providing them consistent access to jobs, food and supplies. In addition, he turned to the military to manage food supply and imports in an effort to thwart food trafficking. According to an AP investigation, the black market was simply taken over by the military.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
May 26, 2017 | A protester uses a slingshot during protests against President Maduro. Since April of 2017, 74 people have died and countless more have been injured during demonstrations throughout the country.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
April 21, 2017 | A man stands behind a Venezuelan flag moments before clashes with security forces in Caracas. Though Venezuela possesses the world’s largest oil reserve, plummeting oil prices and the mismanagement of resources has had a devastating effect on its population.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 29, 2017 | Luis, a 10-year-old with learning disabilities, is pictured at his La Bombilla home in Caracas. Still in first grade, Luis is in limbo since his mother cannot afford a private school that caters to students with his condition, and public schools in his area lack the proper training.
(Alejandro Cegarra for USN&WR)
June 19, 2017 | Anti-government demonstrators are detained by police in Altamira Square.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 19, 2017 | An anti-government protester holds a homemade shield. The latest round of demonstrations started when the Supreme Court announced it was taking over the opposition-ruled National Assembly. Many saw this gesture as an impairment to democracy and took to the streets. Though the decision was reversed days later, distrust in Maduro and his government is at an all-time high.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
July 5, 2017 | Pro-government crowds gather for a parade of the Bolivarian National Guard to celebrate the 206th anniversary of Venezuelan independence in Caracas.
(Alejandro Cegarra for USN&WR)
June 19, 2017 | A police officer detains a protester in Caracas.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 19, 2017 | A woman tries to hinder the Bolivarian National Guard’s advance during a demonstration on the streets of Caracas.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 7, 2017 | Protesters on a cement truck hold shields sporting religious imagery in the colors of the Venezuelan flag. A strong majority of the country’s population is of strong Christian faith.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
April 21, 2017 | The La Vega neighborhood after a night of looting.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
April 21, 2017 | A man eats food he found while scrounging through food waste in the La Vega neighborhood. As of August 2016, it has been estimated that a staggering 15.7% of Venezuelans obtain their food through food waste.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 26, 2017 | A protester stands in front a barricade in Caracas during a protest against President Maduro.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
May 24, 2017 | Police march towards protesters in Caracas.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
May 27, 2017 | Protesters clash with the National Guard in the Las Mercedes neighborhood.
(Alejandro Cegarra)
June 29, 2017 | An anti-government protester monitors a pile of garbage that has been set ablaze as a makeshift barricade during a protest in Caracas.
(Alejandro Cegarra for USN&WR)
