Venezuela, which emerged from the collapse of Gran Columbia in 1830, has been tainted with mostly benevolent military rulers. After the spread of free elections across Latin America in the last decades, recent events in places like Venezuela illustrate the fragile state of democracy in the region. Current issues for Venezuela to contend with include a troubled political state where President Hugo Chavez is losing support among the people, a divided military and overdependence on the petroleum industry with frequent price fluctuations and an unstable political or economic system to sustain the oil industry's well-being. .
In October of 2002, workers staged a national strike to try to press Chavez to step down from power or call early elections as soon as possible. As a result of the opposition movement to try and outs Chavez from power, there have been a temporary halt in economic activity within Venezuela. In addition, there has been a trickle down affect to the rest of the world including the U.S. as reflected in higher oil prices especially since the two month oil strike which lasted from December 2002 to February 2003. .
Presently, there continue to be nationwide protests and clashes between Chavez's military and supporters and the opposition groups over delays in considering an opposition petition to stage a recall vote against Chavez. One of the major questions now is whether Chavez will be removed by constitutional or unconstitutional means. .
Even though President Hugo Chavez was elected democratically by the people, the opposition sees him as turning his back on his people. Some see him as allying himself with Cuba, the former Iraq regime, Colombia's FARC and El Salvador's FMLN. In addition, many have alleged that his human-rights record has deteriorated steadily as he revokes freedoms and orders judges to obey his decrees. Perhaps, the strongest opposition against him lies in what some say are his attempts to rewrite the "Bolivarian Constitution" which renders Venezuelan citizens virtually incapable of impeaching him.
