was a few months ago. That’s because the price of oil has fallen, and while that’s

原因是油價下跌

good for the consumer, for countries like Iran, Russia and Venezuela, whose economies

這對消費者當然是好事 但對伊朗、俄國、委內瑞拉來說

rely heavily on oil exports, it spells disaster. Reports suggest that Venezuela has been hit

油價下跌可是一場災難 因為他們經濟高度仰賴石油出口

particularly hard by the oil price drop. But why? And what is the country doing to do help

報告指出 委國因油價重挫受創最深 這是什麼原因呢？

solve the problem?

委國如何因應油價危機？

Well, with one of the largest oil reserves in the world, Venezuela relies heavily on

委國石油儲藏量全球名列前茅 高度仰賴石油出口

oil exports, in fact, oil generates around 95 percent of it’s hard currency income.

硬通貨收入其中高達9成5來自石油

So, as oil prices have dropped by over half since June, the Venezuelan economy has really

自6月以來 油價下跌過半 委國經濟受創嚴重

suffered. The results of which can be seen in the lives of the Venezuelan people.

民眾生活因此受苦

The country relies heavily on imports for food and other necessities. It’s reported

委國大量進口糧食與生活必需品

that long lines for the state run grocery stores are now the norm, as food supplies

據說國營商店前大排長龍已成常態

are extremely limited. Venezuelans are being pushed to the limit and the army has even

因為糧食供應極度有限 委國人早已忍無可忍

been called in to patrol food queues and keep order. Medical supplies are also a rare commodity

政府甚至出動軍隊巡邏、管理排隊秩序 醫藥資源也極為短缺

in Venezuela.

Unfortunately, Venezuelans have been in this position before. Prior to oil prices falling,

不幸的是 委國並非首次遇到這種情況 油價下跌前

the country had been in a deep recession, with out-of-control inflation. Food and medical

委國經濟已嚴重衰退、通膨失控

supplies have been in short supply for years and economists are placing the blame on Venezuelan

糧食、醫藥供應短缺多年 經濟學家認為

President Maduro and his unsustainable policies.

總統馬杜洛與不穩定的政策要負最大責任

Currently, the government funds free health care, state education, food and gas subsidies.

目前政府資金用於：免費健保、全國教育、糧食與石油補助

Venezuela also provides oil to 13 other countries within the Caribbean basin for what many experts

此外 委國提供石油給加勒比海盆地13國

argue, are giveaway prices. Until now, Maduro has been reluctant to make changes to these

價格卻低到「形同免費」 馬杜洛不願改變這些燒錢的政策

costly policies as he strives to continue former President Hugo Chávez’s popular

一心延續前總統查維茲社會主義的路線

socialist ambitions for Venezuela.

So with his people on the verge of starvation just what is President Maduro doing about

眼見人民可憐挨餓 馬杜洛又做了哪些事？

the situation?

Well, in January 2015, Maduro went on a tour of China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria

2015年一月 他前往多國爭取金援

and Russia in a bid to secure some financial aid for Venezuela. Experts argue that it was

包括中國、卡達、阿烏地阿拉伯、伊朗、阿爾及利亞、俄國等

a desperate move, but Maduro did manage to secure a 20 billion dollar investment deal

專家認為此乃馬杜洛最後一搏 但最終成功與中國簽成200億美元投資案

with China and significant financing from Qatari banks. But critics argue that the money

並獲得卡達銀行大量資金援助 但也有人批評金額太少

still isn’t enough to provide the economic relief that Venezuela desperately needs.

無法為委國提供足夠的經濟援助

With the situation showing no signs of improving, widespread protests have broken out across

由於情況未見好轉 全國爆發大規模抗議

the country, but these demonstrations have only been met with threats of violence from

但政府僅是武力鎮壓而無作為 只想維持社會秩序

the government in order to keep public order. There’s no doubt that tensions between the

毫無意外 政府與人民雙方關係緊繃

state and it’s citizens have reached a boiling point and even Maduro has acknowledged rumours

衝突一觸即發 馬杜洛甚至承認確實耳聞到消息

of the numerous coup plots to overthrow him.

有人意圖叛變想推翻他

To learn more about how low oil prices are hurting other countries too, take a look at

想知道油價下跌對其他國家如何帶來傷害嗎？

our video now

請觀看影片 別忘了訂閱我們的頻道