David Friedberg

And this was 1999 that he came to power.

And this was 1999 that he came to power.

And at the time, I think when he took office, oil was at around $14 per barrel.

And at the time, I think when he took office, oil was at around $14 per barrel.

And a few years later, oil spiked up to even less.

And a few years later, oil spiked up to even less.

Just to contextualize all of this.

Just to contextualize all of this.

Prior to his coming to power, the oil companies had been nationalized.

Prior to his coming to power, the oil companies had been nationalized.

So to your point, the government was really the economy.

So to your point, the government was really the economy.

And he promised this sort of equality and redistribution of value for all of the people

And he promised this sort of equality and redistribution of value for all of the people

of Venezuela.

of Venezuela.

Is that what he promised?

Is that what he promised?

And the economy was really depressed because of the oil price being down.

And the economy was really depressed because of the oil price being down.