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Curtis Oakley
GFCL
9 Apr 2014
Professor Copeland
Global Dilemma: Venezuela Political Crisis
A dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two
or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable. All across the world
dilemmas cause tensions between parties within nations. These situations sometimes call
for what is ethically and morally right to make decisions within these dilemmas. In the
country of Venezuela, there has been a crisis, which has raised tension between the
government and people in Venezuela. Before you can choose a side or begin to be able to
think of ways to handle a situation like the topic I chose, you first have to get the
background information, then analyze it. You can develop an argument about the
Venezuelan crisis once you have considered both sides. When it comes to ethics, which is
a system of moral principals, which means that your behavior depends on how you were
conditioned throughout life and what you perceive is right or wrong. Throughout the
learning process we have learned about many ethical approaches that shape our
framework for decision making.
The protests by the people, which have begun in spite of the governments
actions, have claimed the lives of thirty-three people. The situation has gotten to a point
where Venezuelan troops have gotten involved to keep order among the streets. This
problem has gotten bigger and bigger the longer it goes on.

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On February 12, 2014 a crisis in Venezuela was brought to the forefront of the
world when student protest all over the country of Venezuela began and three deaths
resulted from those protest. The problems that this country is enduring at the moment are
economic, political and social. Tension continues to rise between the Venezuelan people
and their government. This tensions between the people and their government started
with the unhappiness towards their now deceased leader Hugo Chavez and his
replacement Nicolas Maduro. According to the Geopolitical Monitor, Maduros policies
include runaway inflation (57 percent); shortages of basic consumer goods like toilet
paper; a serious fiscal deficit (15% of GDP as of January); decreasing foreign reserves
(down 23% in 2013); and falling oil production (Fillingham). Many claim that there is
nothing to buy, you can only obtain the imported goods that their government purchases
and it seems to not be much. Both sides give arguments as to the reasons for shortages.
Where the political part of this situation ties in is that the reasons given for the shortage
of these basic goods are based on the peoples political affiliations. The government
blames it on hoarding by the citizens and businessmen waging an economic war and the
citizens of Venezuela led by Leopoldo Lopez, express that the cause for these shortages in
the price controlling of the government, lack of money to buy goods and problems within
the supply chain. Looking at both sides of the situation, I begin with the side opposing the
government that is led by Leopoldo Lopez Mendoza. Mendoza is a politician who is
currently the head Voluntad Popular political party in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people
have had to deal with shortages along as the Government is dealing with it. The inflation
rate is at an all time high and just like anybody else, the citizens are very unhappy.

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The main issue that Venezuela is dealing with is the governments food
controlling behavior. President Maduro has put in place a thirty percent limit as to the
levels of mark up. This controversy over the food shortages seems to be a conflict that is
being caused strictly due to the price control. The government has made it very difficult
for the people to purchase the staple goods. Venezuela has now devalued their money.
Due to the policies instituted by the government, businesses in Venezuela cannot afford to
import the basic goods that the people are in demand of. If these goods are not available
what do the people do now? President Maduro took over for the late Hugo Chavez and
since then the country has gone nowhere but downhill. The inflation rate is up to 56
percent and the budget deficit has risen by 50 percent. Venezuela at one point had a very
strong economy that once had an 8 to 1 exchange rate to the United States dollar. With
the economy falling, the poor are getting poorer in Venezuela. The black market has also
become a problem for this nation, this cause a double standard depending because now
peoples buying power differentiates depending where you earn in dollars or whether you
get it by salary. The forcing of companies to lower their prices further ruins the economy
because now these companies are losing out on money that helps them restock their
shelves and when those arent stocked now the supply and demand chain is ruined. The
government has less money to spend which decreases the money it has to give to
importers. Even through the midst of the economic woes, Venezuelas resource of money
has grown by 70 percent that means that the region has a lot of the currency but not a lot
of goods to buy. The things that the government controls are the items that have become
the hardest to purchase.

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This is not how democracies behave. I call on the Venezuelan government to step
back from its efforts to stifle dissent through force and respect basic human rights. The
solution to Venezuelas problems can only be found through dialogue with all
Venezuelans, engaging in a free exchange of opinions in a climate of mutual respect.
Says John Kerry.
Another issue within this crisis is the violent crimes. In Venezuela, approximately
a person is killed every 21 minutes. It has always been a dangerous place and in saying
that in January and February of this year alone, three thousand people have been killed
which raised the number by a tenth of its percentage from the previous year. Many blame
this crime rate on the poverty rate and corruption. Protest led by the people had led to
many deaths as their actions had led to bloodshed. The Government blames this problem
on the citizens capitalist views. The situation grows and the tension grows. The killings
have really escalated things.
Plus the issue of oil has also gotten involved in the whole scheme of things.
Venezuela has the cheapest gas prices in the world and these low prices are hurting the
economy even more. Even though selling there gas for cheap isnt helping the economy,
it is crazy to think that a country that can earn 100 billion dollars from oil, cant supply its
own people with the basic good such as flour, milk, chicken and even diapers. With all
the issues involved with this crisis, it makes it more of a complex situation than outsiders
actually think. With the political views of both sides, economic woes and even alleged
socialist views, Venezuelas turmoil is a tough situation that can be approach so many
different ways. Many options can be considered as one would look at the ethical and

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moral ways to handle a situation. The analysis of this problem is very deep in the
background and history leading up to this issue.
I am against the way that the Venezuelan government is handling this situation.
The mark up limit that that have installed into businesses has caused a train reaction in
the economy. If the Government would decrease their control over prices there could be a
start to fixing this problem. To help the situation I think the government should do
whatever keeps its people in good living conditions that make sure that everyone has a
fair chance of living under reasonable conditions. The common good ethical approach is
one that I believe coincides with the Venezuela crisis in terms of handling the dilemma.
The common good approach says that, This approach to ethics assumes a society
comprising individuals whose own good is inextricably linked to the good of the
community. Community members are bound by the pursuit of common values and goals
(Velasquez, Andre, Shanks and Meyer). This approach would help the government see
that they need to do what is in the best interest of the whole community. By making
companies cut their prices they not cannot operate the same and have to do what is in the
best interest of their companies and not the people. Also, with that being said I think
protest is a good way for the people to be able to speak their mind and showcase their
frustration with their government but as many of people are getting killed, I dont think it
should be taken as far for lives to be taken. The only way for this problem to be solved is
President Maduro needs to change his ways and become someone that is for the people of
his nation and do what is best for them to live in a nice and safe nation that is showing
equality in the economy for everyone to live well.

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My overall view of this situation is that the government is not doing enough to
help both the companies. For the country to live in peace many changes would need to be
made and a mutual understanding so that both sides can come to an agreement.

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Works Cited
"A Framework for Moral Decision Making." A Framework for Moral Decision Making.
N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.
Romo, Rafael. "The Face of Venezuela's Opposition." CNN. Cable News Network, 22
Feb. 2014. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
"Geopolitical Monitor - Weekly Forecasts." Venezuela Protests: Background and
Potential Fallout. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.