John Polga–Hecimovich

Cutouts depicting images of oil operations

Why Venezuela’s oil money could keep undermining its economy and democracy

Economics

Venezuela is a textbook case of the “resource curse,” with nearly 90 percent of its population living in poverty in the country with the world’s largest oil reserves. After decades of leaders who failed to harness this commodity for peace and prosperity, it is questionable whether a new government can do a better job.