While the author of the following article expressed some shock over what the New York Times had blamed for the reason behind the troubles in Venezuela, I'm not shocked in the least by the NYT's take on that matter, and have come to expect them to spew propaganda.

The situation in Venezuela is complex and has been influenced by a combination of political, economic, and social factors over several decades. Capitalism is hardly the villain there that some make it out to be. The following are some key elements that contributed to the country's decline...

Economic mismanagement: Venezuela has one of the largest oil reserves in the world, and its economy has been heavily dependent on oil exports. Mismanagement of the oil industry, including corruption and lack of investment, led to a decline in production and revenue.

Political instability: The political landscape in Venezuela has been marked by significant instability, particularly during the presidencies of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Chávez's policies, while initially popular, led to polarization and conflict. Maduro's government has faced accusations of authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and electoral fraud.

Social programs and dependency: Chávez implemented extensive social programs funded by oil revenues, which initially reduced poverty but created a dependency on oil income. When oil prices fell, the government struggled to maintain these programs.

Hyperinflation: Venezuela has experienced hyperinflation, which has eroded the value of the currency and led to severe shortages of basic goods, including food and medicine. This has resulted in widespread poverty and a humanitarian crisis.

Sanctions and international isolation: The Venezuelan government has faced international sanctions, particularly from the United States, which have further strained the economy and limited access to international markets.

Migration/mass exodus: The economic and political crisis has led to a mass exodus of Venezuelans seeking better opportunities abroad, resulting in a loss of skilled labor and further weakening the economy.

These factors, among conceivable others, have contributed to the current crisis in Venezuela, leading to significant challenges for its people and governance. Maduro is a damn tyrant, and he's also (not surprisingly) a socialist. Maduro's regime, along with his predecessor Chavez's regime, promoted large scale Government mismanagement that has contributed greatly to the current woes in Venezuela.-
[reason.com]