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The country rose to prominence after 1999, when the [[leftist]] [[dictator]] [[Hugo Chavez]] assumed power and started imposing what he calls "[[socialism]] of the 21st century", aligning himself with terrorist regimes like [[Iran]], and using his petrodollars to influence other countries in the region. After Chavez's death in 2012, his successor [[Nicolas Maduro]] continued those policies also when the mostly liberal opposition alliance [[Democratic Unity Roundtable|MUD]], a coalition of [[liberal]], [[Christian democracy|Christian democratic]] and centrist parties, got a majority in the Venezuelan parliamentary elections on December 6, 2015.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-election-idUSKBN0TP03Y20151208 Triumphant Venezuela opposition looks to boost economy, free prisoners]</ref>

The country rose to prominence after 1999, when the [[leftist]] [[dictator]] [[Hugo Chavez]] assumed power and started imposing what he calls "[[socialism]] of the 21st century", aligning himself with terrorist regimes like [[Iran]], and using his petrodollars to influence other countries in the region. After Chavez's death in 2012, his successor [[Nicolas Maduro]] continued those policies also when the mostly liberal opposition alliance [[Democratic Unity Roundtable|MUD]], a coalition of [[liberal]], [[Christian democracy|Christian democratic]] and centrist parties, got a majority in the Venezuelan parliamentary elections on December 6, 2015.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-election-idUSKBN0TP03Y20151208 Triumphant Venezuela opposition looks to boost economy, free prisoners]</ref>

Once the wealthiest South American country, [[socialist]] policies created instability and mass starvation by 2019.<ref name="Socialism">Lott, Maxim (January 25, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/how-socialism-turned-venezuela-from-the-wealthiest-country-in-south-america-into-an-economic-basket-case How socialism turned Venezuela from the wealthiest country in South America into an economic basket case]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 26, 2019.</ref>

Once the wealthiest South American country, [[socialist]] policies created instability and mass starvation by 2019.<ref name="Socialism">Multiple references:

*Lott, Maxim (January 25, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/how-socialism-turned-venezuela-from-the-wealthiest-country-in-south-america-into-an-economic-basket-case How socialism turned Venezuela from the wealthiest country in South America into an economic basket case]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 26, 2019.

*[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/in-venezuela-socialism-has-succeeded-the-way-it-always-does In Venezuela, socialism has succeeded the way it always does]. ''Washington Examiner''. January 26, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.</ref>

==National symbols==

==National symbols==