173 words

Key events leading to Venezuela’s crisis

Mar 2013: President Hugo Chávez, father of Venezuela’s “socialist revolution”, dies. Nicolás Maduro, his chosen successor, elected president by narrow margin

Feb 2016: Maduro announces measures to fight economic crisis amid deep recession fuelled by low oil prices

Sep: Hundreds of thousands of people march through Caracas, calling for removal of Maduro,
accusing him of responsibility for economic problems

Apr 2017: Start of mass protests demanding early presidential elections and revoking of planned constituent assembly to replace National Assembly. More than 100 people die in protest-related violence over following months

Jul 30: Election for constituent assembly marred by violence and widespread protests
Maduro hails vote as victory, but opposition accuses him of voter fraud and intimidation and calls for fresh protests

VENEZUELA’S GDP PER CAPITA (In current $)
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
2002 2010 17 2022

2002: $3,790

2013: Maduro becomes president

2022: $4,575 – projected to be among lowest GDP in western hemisphere


Sources: IMF World Economic Outlook Database, BBC 
Picture: Getty Images 
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