"How and why did Venezuela fall prey to the US special forces attack on Caracas on January 3, 2026, and what's the political backstory? Once a showcase US ally awash with oil money, Venezuela has descended into crisis and confrontation. This film tracks the country's arc from 1970s petro-democracy to the 1989 Caracazo riots, Hugo Chavez's rise and radical reforms, the turbulent 2002 coup attempt against him, and the deep economic collapse and mass exodus under President Nicolas Maduro."
"Framed around the dramatic US special forces operation, with bombing raids on the capital and Maduro toppled from power, this one-off special asks how a country so rich fell so far. Through first-hand testimony, expert analysis and rare archive, it shows how the fate of many Latin American countries is still shaped by US power, as the whole continent braces itself for further intervention under the current US administration."
Venezuela transitioned from a 1970s oil-fueled stable democracy into prolonged crisis driven by inequality, political polarisation and mismanaged petro-dependent economics. The 1989 Caracazo riots exposed deep social grievances and set the stage for Hugo Chávez's rise and radical reforms that polarised the country. A turbulent 2002 coup attempt reflected intense internal divisions. Under Nicolás Maduro, the economy collapsed, public services failed, and millions fled in a mass exodus. On January 3, 2026, a US special forces operation, including bombing raids on Caracas, toppled Maduro and escalated confrontation. The intervention underscores enduring US influence in Latin America and raises regional fears of further intervention.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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