Venezuela

On April 11, 2002, Venezuela experienced a military coup d’etat against the democratically elected President, Hugo Chavez; a counter coup led by popular movements reinstated Chavez to the country’s leadership. Although the coup against President Ch├ívez in April failed, democracy in Venezuela remains at risk. The possibility of violent unrest, including another coup attempt, is very real. Eighteen people were killed and 150-185 people were injured, some quite seriously, during the April 11 protest march. Between April 12-14, another forty to sixty people were killed. Much of this violence was associated with the widespread looting and protesting which took place during that period. Many of the victims who died were the poor, in the western area of Caracas. Mission Personnel Carmello Alvarez Key Program/Process Coordinator for the development of the Pentecostal Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean, Latin American Evangelical Pentecostal Commission (CEPLA) Partners Union Evangelica Pentecostal Venezolana (UEPV) Programa Abierto de Capacitacion Teologica (PACTO)

Venezuela is located in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana.

On April 11, 2002, Venezuela experienced a military coup d’etat against the democratically elected President, Hugo Chavez; a counter coup led by popular movements reinstated Chavez to the country’s leadership.

Although the coup against President Chávez in April failed, democracy in Venezuela remains at risk. The possibility of violent unrest, including another coup attempt, is very real. Eighteen people were killed and 150-185 people were injured, some quite seriously, during the April 11 protest march. Between April 12-14, another forty to sixty people were killed. Much of this violence was associated with the widespread looting and protesting which took place during that period. Many of the victims who died were the poor, in the western area of Caracas.

Population (2014 est) – 28,868,486

Area – 566,800mi

Capital – Caracas

Ethnic Background

–              Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people

Exports – petroleum and petroleum products, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products

Imports – agricultural products, livestock, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials, medical equipment, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel products

Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 71 years   F 78 years

Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 19.33 deaths/1,000 live births

Adult Illiteracy Rate – 4.5%