America's future. Yep, earthquakes are coming! Within our lifetimes?
Venezuela is a nominally Catholic country. But Christians or not, Venezuelans have largely turned their backs on God. A process that commenced immediately upon their founding. Eventually, socialists showed up with bouquets of falsehoods, which the Venezuelans accepted. As per usual, the socialists finally took off the masks and revealed themselves to be communists. One would think that by now people would have learned to recognize the game.
Fitz
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1992 - Venezuela is the 3rd richest country in the Western Hemisphere, powered by oil and a growing middle class.
1997 - Venezuelans become the 2nd largest buyers of Ford F-150s—a sign of widespread prosperity.
1998 - Hugo Chávez is elected, promising to “redistribute wealth..." and "fix inequality."
2001 - The country votes again for socialism, framed as compassion and fairness.
2003 - The government imposes price controls and currency controls. Black markets appear. Shortages begin.
2004 - Private healthcare is fully socialized.
2006 - Inflation rises sharply as massive welfare programs expand without real economic backing.
2007 - All higher education becomes “free.”
2008 - Key industries—oil services, steel, cement, telecom—are nationalized. Production drops almost immediately.
2009 - Private gun ownership is banned.
2010 - The currency is devalued by 50%, crushing savings and accelerating inflation.
2011 - Oil production begins a steady decline due to mismanagement and lack of investment.
2012 - American politicians, e.g. Bernie Sanders, publicly praise Venezuela’s model.
2013 - Chávez dies. Nicolás Maduro takes power and tightens state control.
2014 - Opposition leaders are arrested or silenced.
2015 - GDP collapses. Hyperinflation begins.
2016 - Severe food and medical shortages spread nationwide.
2017 - The constitution is suspended. Elections become meaningless.
2018 - Inflation exceeds 1,000,000%. Maduro wins the "election".
2019 - Unarmed civilians are killed by their government.
2020 - More than 8 million people flee the country to escape the hunger and repression.
2023 - Minor economic improvements fail to relieve mass poverty.
2024 - "Elections" trigger protests and global isolation.
2026 - Venezuela is devastated by two great earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.
(A special shout out to Dennis Stifler)
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Death toll: As of 7-7-26, at least 3,535 people.
Injured: Over 16,740.
Missing: Tens of thousands.
Displaced: Nearly 18,000 people are homeless, with about 12,800 of these staying in 80 shelters in Caracas and La Guaira.
Buildings destroyed: Satellite analysis suggests about 58,870 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Humanitarian Situation: Survivors are struggling with overcrowded shelters, unsafe water, poor sanitation, and limited medical supplies. Health experts warn of rising risks for epidemics.
So, will Venezuelans learn their lesson from this and return to Christ? Of course not. Things may be bad, but they're going to have to get worse than bad for that to happen. People... same as it ever was.
Fitz
