| Fishing is the main occupation in Guaca, and fishermen like Pablo Marín are paid in the Venezuelan currency, bolivars. But inflation has eaten away at its value, leaving it near-worthless in the many businesses that price their goods in dollars. "Ten years ago, money had value, you could save. Now it's worth nothing," Marín explains, holding up a handful of bolivars.
Guaca is emblematic of the years of economic decline that, alongside corruption and repression, have driven millions out of Venezuela. Fisherwoman Yurmari Martínez remembers a time, 20 years ago, when Sucre was a "place with potential". Fuel and raw material shortages, chronic under-investment and nationalisations have now hollowed out the local economy. |
