NPR: Venezuelan Refugees Flee, Facing Violence, Closed Borders

Venezuela’s politics and economy spiral into chaos and thousands of try to flee for other countries, but face protests, border closures and even attacks including a refugee camp set on fire in northern Brazil. The country of 31 million people borders Colombia, Brazil and Guyana. “The United Nations says more than 7 percent – 2.3 million refugees – of Venezuela's population have fled to other countries, making it one of the largest mass migrations of people in Latin American history,” reports Shannon Van Sant for NPR. The country has endured shortages of food, medical supplies and other necessities for more than a year, leaving many malnourished. Hyperinflation and protectionist government policies has made the currency essentially worthless. The country, struggling to make bond payments, cannot borrow. Government officials not being paid are abandoning posts. The United States is dispatching a hospital ship to Colombia to assist with the refugee crisis. Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves in the world but the state-run operations struggle to produce or export product. – YaleGlobal