<a href="http://lab.org.uk/venezuela-–-student-protests" rel="nofollow">http://lab.org.uk/venezuela-–-student-protests</a><p><a href="http://lab.org.uk/venezuela-violent-demonstrations-and-the-media" rel="nofollow">http://lab.org.uk/venezuela-violent-demonstrations-and-the-m...</a><p>Not claiming these are unbiased sources, because they aren't (especially the second link). But even so, they can provide a good balance regarding what most western media (NY Times, CNN, Guardian, etc) reports (and omits from those reports).<p>Some more and again, don't claim they are unbiased, but it's good to balance the coverage and these say a lot that isn't said in other places):<p>"What’s going on in Venezuela?" -- <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10381" rel="nofollow">http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10381</a><p>"Venezuelan Government Reiterates Calls For Dialogue With Opposition" - <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10379" rel="nofollow">http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/10379</a><p><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/socialism/comments/1xt9pf/venezuela_rightwing_provokes_violence_in_timeworn/cfeevit" rel="nofollow">http://www.reddit.com/r/socialism/comments/1xt9pf/venezuela_...</a><p>And regarding the general situation (not current events necessarily:<p>"Despite Shortages, Venezuelans Are Eating Better Statistics Say" - <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7632" rel="nofollow">http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7632</a><p>"The Pros and Cons of Venezuela's Currency Controls" - <a href="http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10317" rel="nofollow">http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/10317</a><p>"Could smuggling be to blame for Venezuela's food shortages?" - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23885377" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23885377</a> (small examples: <a href="http://pastebin.com/BFHKHdCG" rel="nofollow">http://pastebin.com/BFHKHdCG</a> )<p>Regarding crime, read about the Policia Nacional Bolivariana, who controls the local polices, who is the Governor of the State of Miranda and which force controls most boroughs (Municipios) in Caracas and that in general, they refuse the that the Policia Nacional Bolivariana to act and prefer instead to keep their mostly corrupt police force (understand that they see it as another way for the Government to have more control, but the truth is the PNB reduces crime, you can read more here, but also other places - <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monitor/2013/0215/How-does-Venezuela-s-police-reform-measure-up" rel="nofollow">http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/Latin-America-Monito...</a>)<p>Also, note that before Chavez, most foreign oil companies were paying 1-17% royalties, after 20-30% (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_policy_of_Venezuela#Development_of_energy_policies" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_policy_of_Venezuela#Deve...</a>) and that most of the oil profits go into housing, social, education, security and infrastructure (power plants - fixed and movable -, roads, ports, railways).<p>Just another thing, believe that according to Article 72 of the Venezuelan Constitution, after the middle of the Presidential mandate, if 20% of the voters sign a petition, recall elections are scheduled. This has happened in 2004.<p>Not claiming there aren't any problems, there certainly are. Not claiming I'm a fan of the style the Government adopt, I'm not. However we've all seen in the past what happens to democratically elected Governments when they don't play ball with US companies, and Latin America knows this more than anyone (but also Iran back in the first independence days, before the Shah...).<p>My thoughts to the innocents that are caught in the crossfire and have their peaceful demonstrations hijacked by extremists. Hopefully Venezuela can overcome all current issues, become a better country and not go back to the almost oligarchic past of poverty (which none of the wealthy opposition ever tried to change) but not become a dictatorship. In summary, a place where people of all political quadrants can live and let others live.