Todos estos meses, todo el tiempo de marcha por mi familia, por la comida, por el pueblo. Siempre, siempre voy a estar en las calles luchando por la libertad de mis hijos. La violencia, la violencia del gobierno y la violencia del hampa. Todos esos son razones para tú salir a protestar, a manifestar, a defender tus derechos y aspirar a una mejor Venezuela. Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America. It has the largest known oil reserves in the world, and its democratic government was once praised worldwide. But today, Venezuela's democratic institutions and its economy are in shambles. The country has the highest inflation rate in the world, making food and medicine inaccessible to most Venezuelans. Over the last four years, its GDP has fallen 35%, which is a sharper drop than the one seen during the Great Depression in the US. And the country's murder rate has surpassed that of the most dangerous cities in the world. These conditions have sparked months of protests against the president, Nicolás Maduro, and it's easy to see why. The country has become measurably worse since his election in 2013. A poll showed that about 80% of Venezuelans want Maduro removed from office. But instead, the opposite has happened. Maduro has consolidated his power, bringing the country closer to authoritarian rule. Maduro's political ambition became evident in December 2015. Two years after he became president, a coalition of opposition parties called the Democratic Unity Roundtable, or MUD, won a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, putting Maduro's rule at risk. In response, Maduro quickly forced out several Supreme Court justices and filled the positions with cronies loyal to him. In March 2016, the court ruled to strip the opposition-led National Assembly of its powers, a move that sparked massive protests across the country. The ruling was reversed a few days later, but the damage was done. Protests continued to grow and have left about 100 dead and thousands injured so far. Despite the violence and public outcry, Maduro held a vote in July to elect a new governing body called the National Constituent Assembly, which would have the power to rewrite Venezuela's constitution and essentially replace the National Assembly, and leave virtually no opposition to Maduro's rule. Why are you out voting today? For the well-being of the country. What are you looking for in this constituent assembly? Peace for everyone. With Maduro's recent vote, Venezuelans didn't have a say in whether the assembly should exist. They only had the option to elect its members. But when Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chávez, proposed a constitutional rewrite in 1999, he first called for a referendum to propose the election of the assembly. After most Venezuelans voted yes, they then elected a new National Constituent Assembly. See, unlike Maduro, Chávez was a charismatic and beloved leader. In the 90s, he burst onto television sets across the country. He blamed government corruption and Venezuela's elite for the economic inequality. His populist message resonated with the country's poor, who eventually helped bring him to power. The key moment in his presidency came in 2004 when oil prices surged. Venezuela's petroleum-dependent economy started booming, and Chávez went on to spend billions from the profits on social welfare programs for the poor. He subsidized food, improved the educational system, built an enviable healthcare system, and reduced poverty by more than half. These programs certainly helped the poor, but they served a purpose for Chávez as well. In order to be reelected, he needed to keep these millions of poor Venezuelans happy, so he rigged the economy to do just that. He didn't scale back Venezuela's dependence on oil, and his unrestrained spending led to a growing deficit, which meant all these programs would be impossible to sustain if oil prices fell. After Chávez's death, when Maduro took office as his hand-picked successor, that's exactly what happened. Oil prices plummeted in 2014, and Maduro failed to adjust. Hyperinflation has made medicines and food that were once subsidized unaffordable for Venezuela's poor, who now make up about 82% of the population. Like Chávez, Maduro has also rigged the economy to keep himself in power. But this time, it's not benefiting the poor. He's exploited a complex currency system put in place by Chávez. Maduro set the official exchange rate at 10 bolívares per US dollar, but only his friends and allies have access to this rate. In reality, the Venezuelan currency has become basically worthless. Most Venezuelans get their dollars on the black market, where the rate is about 12,000 bolívares per dollar. The military, which got complete control of the food supply from Maduro in 2016, is reportedly profiting off this currency crisis. They import food at Maduro's special currency rate and sell it on the black market for a massive profit. So for military generals and political allies of Maduro, the crisis has offered a lucrative opportunity, which has helped Maduro stay in power. But he can't rely on that support alone, which brings us back to Maduro's recent power grab. The opposition boycotted the vote, but Maduro held the vote for a new constitutional assembly anyway and won a majority. Protests on the streets of Venezuela turning deadly after President Nicolás Maduro declares victory. The violence on Sunday very real. The bomb went off near some motorcycle police, wounding several. Election day clashes between protesters and police claiming at least 10 more lives. At least one candidate has been murdered, shot to death. The election of the National Constituent Assembly is a clear fraud. The world sees it. It's clear what happened. Now we have to continue to look for freedom, because we have lived with freedom and we know what that is. What happened yesterday was the biggest fraud ever committed in a national election. It was an expected fraud. We already knew the turnout would be low, but with participation forced by the government. Maduro's government is trying to create the illusion of public support. The government claimed about 8 million people, or 40% of the country, voted, but experts put that number much lower, at just 3 million people. The international community, including Peru, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Argentina, condemned the election. The US imposed financial sanctions on Maduro and members of his government. But Maduro's assembly, filled with loyalists, convened anyway, and it swiftly removed Attorney General Luisa Ortega, leader of the opposition. Armed groups reportedly arrested several other opposition leaders, too. Whether the group will rewrite the constitution or postpone the next presidential election remains to be seen. For now, Maduro has unprecedented power over a country that continues to spiral out of control. Every day is getting worse. If this man doesn't leave Venezuela... well... War, what we have is war.
A young, shirtless man with 'LUCHA CONMIGO' (Fight With Me) written on his torso stands in a street during a protest, later covering his face with a bandana.
Setting: a city street in Venezuela — bright, natural daylight
People (1):
• standing still, facing the camera, wearing none and white pants (partially visible), dark, short hair — initially uncovered, then covered with a black and white bandana
Text: "LUCHA CONMIGO"
A young man with his face covered by a black mask with white stars and a grey hoodie speaks to the camera.
"Todos estos meses, todo el tiempo de marcha por mi familia, por la comida, por el pueblo."
Setting: an urban street during a protest — overcast daylight
People (1):
• standing, facing the camera and speaking, wearing grey hoodie, covered by hoodie hair — covered by a mask, only eyes are slightly visible
Text: "For my family, for food, for the people."
A middle-aged woman wearing a large hat and sunglasses speaks emotionally to the camera.
"Siempre, siempre voy a estar en las calles luchando por la libertad de mis hijos."
Setting: an urban plaza — bright, outdoor daylight
People (1):
• standing, facing the camera, wearing white shirt, dark, pulled back hair — speaking with a determined and slightly pained expression
Text: "Always. I will always be on the streets fighting for my kid's freedom."
An older man wearing glasses and a baseball cap speaks directly to the camera with conviction.
"La violencia, la violencia del gobierno y la violencia del hampa. Todos esos son razones para tú salir a protestar, a manifestar,"
Setting: a city street — bright, overcast daylight
People (1):
• standing, facing camera, wearing beige t-shirt, grey, short hair — speaking animatedly, mouth open
Text: "The violence. The violence of the government, the violence of the criminals. Those are all reasons to go out and protest,"
An animated map of the world zooms in on South America, highlighting Venezuela with its flag colors.
"Venezuela was once the richest country in Latin America."
Setting: animated graphic — even, digital lighting
Text: "Venezuela"
A line graph titled 'Venezuelan inflation rate' is displayed, showing a dramatic spike upwards in 2016-2017.
"But today, Venezuela's democratic institutions and its economy are in shambles."
Setting: animated graphic — even, digital lighting
Text: "Venezuelan inflation rate", "946%", "19%"
Three line graphs are displayed on screen, showing Venezuelan inflation rate, consumer price index, and gross domestic product per capita.
"Over the last four years, its GDP has fallen 35%,"
Setting: animated graphic — even, digital lighting
Text: "Gross domestic product per capita, Venezuelan bolívares", "2,091", "1,355"
Protesters clash with riot police on a street. Tear gas canisters are thrown, and smoke fills the air. Protesters use makeshift shields for cover.
"These conditions have sparked months of protests against the president, Nicolás Maduro,"
Setting: a wide urban street with a traffic light — bright daylight
People (1):
• running, crouching, wearing dark shirts/hoodies and jeans/dark pants, covered hair — mostly obscured
An image of President Nicolás Maduro with his fist raised is superimposed over four graphs showing negative economic and social trends. Red lines mark his election date on each graph.
"The country has become measurably worse since his election in 2013."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit jacket (yellow, blue, red), dark, short hair — serious expression, has a mustache
Text: "President Nicolás Maduro", "MADURO ELECTED"
A graphic shows a large yellow ring, almost complete, representing 80%. An image of Maduro is on the right.
"A poll showed that about 80% of Venezuelans want Maduro removed from office."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit jacket, dark, short hair — serious expression
Text: "80% voted to remove", "October 2016, DatAnalysis"
A collage graphic shows President Maduro on the right, with his fist raised, facing a collection of images of protesters and riot police on the left, all against a black background with white stars.
"Maduro has consolidated his power, bringing the country closer to authoritarian rule."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit jacket, dark hair — serious expression
Text: "President Nicolás Maduro"
An animation shows the three branches of Venezuelan government. The National Assembly, controlled by the opposition, is highlighted.
"Maduro's political ambition became evident in December 2015. Two years after he became president, a coalition of opposition parties called the Democratic Unity Roundtable, or MUD, won a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• speaking at a podium, wearing black suit jacket, white shirt, dark hair — smiling, pointing
Text: "December 2015", "National Assembly"
An animation shows a red arrow originating from Maduro (Executive branch) pointing to the Supreme Court graphic, which then turns completely red, indicating his control.
"In response, Maduro quickly forced out several Supreme Court justices and filled the positions with cronies loyal to him."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Supreme court", "Executive branch"
The animation continues. A red arrow points from the now-red Supreme Court to the National Assembly, which turns grey and fades, symbolizing its loss of power.
"In March 2016, the court ruled to strip the opposition-led National Assembly of its powers,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "March 2016"
A massive crowd of protesters marches down a wide, wet street in the rain, holding colorful umbrellas and flags.
"a move that sparked massive protests across the country."
Setting: a city street — dim, overcast, rainy day
The animation shows a new red governing body, the 'National Constituent Assembly,' appearing above the faded National Assembly, showing it has superseded it.
"Maduro held a vote in July to elect a new governing body called the National Constituent Assembly,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "July 2017", "National Constituent Assembly"
A crowd of people stands in a public space, one man holding a large Venezuelan flag. The shot is slightly shaky.
Setting: outdoor public space — bright daylight
Text: "July 30, 2017: Day of the vote"
An elderly, bald man with wrinkled skin speaks to an off-camera interviewer.
"Why are you out voting today? For the well-being of the country."
Setting: indoors, likely a polling station or nearby — soft, indoor lighting
People (1):
• sitting or standing, wearing white collared shirt with a plaid pattern on the collar, bald on top, white on sides hair — speaking earnestly, looking slightly off-camera
Text: "Why are you out voting today?", "For the well-being of the country."
The same elderly man continues speaking, expressing his desire for peace.
"Peace for everyone."
Setting: indoors — soft, indoor lighting
People (1):
• sitting or standing, wearing white collared shirt, bald on top, white on sides hair — speaking with an earnest, slightly wide-eyed expression
Text: "Peace for everyone."
A graphic shows an image of Hugo Chávez above a crowd of people and a Venezuelan flag.
"But when Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chávez, proposed a constitutional rewrite in 1999,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit, dark, curly hair — determined expression
Text: "1999", "Hugo Chávez Venezuelan president 1999-2013"
The animation shows a two-step process: a referendum question ('Should a constitutional assembly be convened?') with a 'YES' result, followed by an arrow pointing to an 'Election' which leads to the 'National Constituent Assembly'.
"they then elected a new National Constituent Assembly."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Should a constitutional assembly be convened?", "YES", "Election"
Archival footage of Hugo Chávez speaking to a crowd is shown on the screen of a vintage, wood-paneled television set.
"In the 90s, he burst onto television sets across the country."
Setting: studio setting — soft, studio lighting
People (1):
• speaking, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit, dark hair — speaking into a microphone
A line graph titled 'Oil prices ($ per barrel)' shows a red line representing the price beginning to climb steeply around the year 2004.
"The key moment in his presidency came in 2004 when oil prices surged."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Oil prices ($ per barrel)", "2004"
A graphic displays three blue boxes with text: 'Food subsidies', 'Improved education', and 'Health care'. Below, a line graph shows the 'Venezuela poverty rate' declining significantly.
"He subsidized food, improved the educational system, built an enviable healthcare system, and reduced poverty by more than half."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit, dark hair — determined
Text: "Food subsidies", "Venezuela poverty rate"
A new graph for 'Budget balance (% of GDP)' appears, showing a red line that fluctuates but trends downwards into a deficit.
"He didn't scale back Venezuela's dependence on oil, and his unrestrained spending led to a growing deficit,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit, dark hair — determined
Text: "Budget balance (% of GDP)"
The 'Oil prices' graph is shown again. The red line, which was high, suddenly drops sharply starting in 2014.
"After Chávez's death, when Maduro took office as his hand-picked successor, that's exactly what happened. Oil prices plummeted in 2014,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
People (1):
• standing, wearing Venezuelan flag tracksuit, dark hair — serious
Text: "2014"
A young person with short blonde hair and an orange vest walks down a trash-strewn street, holding a cup and a small tray, appearing to be selling something or begging.
"Hyperinflation has made medicines and food that were once subsidized unaffordable for Venezuela's poor, who now make up about 82% of the population."
Setting: a run-down urban street — bright, harsh daylight
People (1):
• walking towards the camera, wearing black crop top under an orange safety vest and blue leggings, very short, bleached blonde hair — singing or shouting, mouth open
President Maduro, in a red jacket, stands on a stage at night, raising his fist to a cheering crowd.
Setting: an outdoor political rally at night — bright stage lighting, dark background
People (1):
• standing on stage, wearing red jacket, dark hair — smiling
Text: "VOTO"
An animated graph shows the 'Venezuelan currency rates'. A flat blue line represents the 'Official government rate' at 10:1.
"Maduro set the official exchange rate at 10 bolívares per US dollar, but only his friends and allies have access to this rate."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Venezuelan currency rates", "Official government rate 10:1"
On the currency graph, a red line representing the 'Black market rate' appears and plummets downwards, showing extreme devaluation.
"In reality, the Venezuelan currency has become basically worthless. Most Venezuelans get their dollars on the black market,"
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Black market rate"
The animation shows a blue arrow going from the official rate to Maduro's allies, and a red arrow going from them to the general population, illustrating the corrupt scheme.
"They import food at Maduro's special currency rate and sell it on the black market for a massive profit."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Official government rate 10:1", "Black market rate 12,163:1"
A group of protesters, some with faces covered, throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at an unseen target down a city street. A fire burns in the road.
"But he can't rely on that support alone, which brings us back to Maduro's recent power grab."
Setting: an urban highway or major street — bright daylight
A small white sign with 'NO + DICTADURA' (No More Dictatorship) handwritten on it is taped to a yellow, graffiti-covered utility box.
Setting: city street — diffused daylight
Text: "NO + DICTADURA"
A montage of news clips begins, showing people running down a tree-lined street away from unseen danger, possibly tear gas.
"Protests on the streets of Venezuela turning deadly after President Nicolás Maduro declares victory."
Setting: a tree-lined city street — bright, dappled sunlight
People (1):
• running towards and past the camera, wearing t-shirts (red, white) and jeans, various hair — expressions of fear and urgency
A large, fiery explosion occurs on a street next to a line of what appears to be motorcycle police.
"The bomb went off near some motorcycle police, wounding several."
Setting: a city street — daylight, with bright light from the explosion
A middle-aged man with a microphone clipped to his shirt speaks to the camera while holding a protest sign.
"The election of the National Constituent Assembly is a clear fraud."
Setting: outside a modern building — daylight
People (1):
• standing, wearing white t-shirt, short, dark hair — serious, speaking directly to camera
Text: "The election of the National Constituent Assembly is a clear fraud."
The same man from the previous shot continues speaking, emphasizing his point about freedom.
"Now we have to continue to look for freedom, because we have lived with freedom and we know what that is."
Setting: outside a modern building — daylight
People (1):
• standing, wearing white t-shirt, short, dark hair — determined expression
Text: "Now we have to continue to look for freedom, because we have lived with freedom and we know what that is."
A different man, with glasses and a blue shirt, speaks to the camera with a crowd of people blurred in the background.
"What happened yesterday was the biggest fraud ever committed in a national election."
Setting: an urban plaza — overcast daylight
People (1):
• standing, wearing blue t-shirt, short, grey and black hair — speaking with a frustrated and angry expression
Text: "What happened yesterday was the biggest fraud ever committed in a national election."
A montage of headlines about the controversial vote and claims of fraud are displayed on a dark grey background.
"Maduro's government is trying to create the illusion of public support."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Violence and Claims of Fraud in Venezuela's Controversial Vote"
An excerpt from an article is shown. Key phrases like 'announcing that 8m people had voted', 'In fact, it was not surprising and probably not big', and 'showed that only 3.7m had voted' are highlighted in sequence.
"The government claimed about 8 million people, or 40% of the country, voted, but experts put that number much lower, at just 3 million people."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "“IT WAS a result that was so big, so surprising,” said Tibisay Lucena..."
An animated world map shows various countries and organizations (EU, Organization of American States) with headlines condemning the Venezuelan election.
"The international community, including Peru, Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Argentina, condemned the election."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "Venezuela called 'dictatorship' by Peru, condemned by new bloc"
A map of South America highlights Venezuela. A headline from CNN appears over it.
"and it swiftly removed Attorney General Luisa Ortega, leader of the opposition."
Setting: animated graphic — digital lighting
Text: "New Venezuelan assembly ousts attorney general Ortega"
President Maduro is shown sitting at a large desk, flanked by two Venezuelan flags, speaking during a formal address. A large portrait hangs on the wall behind him.
"Whether the group will rewrite the constitution or postpone the next presidential election remains to be seen."
Setting: a government office or press room — formal, bright lighting
People (1):
• sitting at a desk, wearing black jacket, dark hair — speaking seriously
An elderly woman with short white hair speaks to the camera with a look of distress, standing in a crowd of people.
"Every day is getting worse."
Setting: a city sidewalk — overcast daylight
People (1):
• standing in a crowd, wearing pale yellow shirt, short, white hair — worried, speaking with urgency
Text: "Every day is getting worse."
The same elderly woman continues speaking, her expression growing more intense as she describes the situation as a war.
"War, what we have is war."
Setting: a city sidewalk — overcast daylight
People (1):
• standing, wearing pale yellow shirt, short, white hair — anguished, mouth open as she speaks emphatically
Text: "War, what we have is war."
The end credits for the video are displayed.
Setting: credit screen — digital lighting
Text: "Video by SAM ELLIS CHRISTINA THORNELL EDWIN CORONA", "Footage ASSOCIATED PRESS GETTY IMAGES FOX NEWS CNN MSNBC"