Venezuela’s economic crisis dominates all as key vote approaches

Misael León still believes in Venezuela. Standing in the muggy shade on his farm, the native of Medellín, Colombia, said he’s optimistic that someday, someone’s going to fix his adopted country. León has had a bad run of it lately – the same run that’s brought this resource-rich nation to its knees. He describes life as a fight for survival. He struggles to find food for his family. One of the first words out of his mouth is “escasez” – shortage – a reference to a nationwide lack of everything, from food to laundry soap to car parts. León gets milk, eggs and some meat from the animals he raises on the northern edge of Venezuela’s agricultural region. But he has to buy basics such as rice, flour, pasta and sugar. Supplies of those items are scarce. More…