CONCLUSION

Over the last ten years international news about Venezuela has been dominated by political events in the country, the extreme polarization between supporters of President Chávez and those who oppose his Bolivarian revolution, as well as the public spats between the Venezuelan government and the USA at international forums. While these developments are undoubtedly important to an understanding of Venezuela today, it would of course be blinkered to see the country only through this prism.

As we have seen, the people of Venezuela are optimistic and forward-looking, quick with a joke, and welcoming to strangers. We hope that, having learned something about their history and the cultural complexity of modern Venezuelan society, you will feel confident enough to venture out and explore this fascinating country with a better understanding of the people you’ll meet along the way.

The future of Venezuela may be an open book—but, whatever happens, it will never be a dull one.