In today's world, the leader of a country has immense power. That person can wisely cultivate the nation he is sworn to lead, or be responsible for the backward steps that country will be condemned to take at the end of his rule. There is no middle ground. Venezuela, a South American country that has a coast on the Caribbean Sea, is a prime example of this truth. Venezuela is an oil-rich country suffering from a multitude of problems created by previous governments, particularly the Chávez regime. Under Chávez's government, the country has been led down a devastating and highly controversial path (Rohter). Although this oil-rich nation had been led by flawed leaders in the past, Hugo Chávez was the man ultimately responsible for Venezuela currently spiraling out of control. Champion of the poor, his legacy in Venezuela is still perceptible today (Rohter). Although he died more than a year ago, the disastrous choices Chávez made for Venezuela culminated in violent protests that began in February 2014. Hugo Chávez was a highly controversial leader whose socialist ideologies and policies centered on the upliftment of the poor continue to influence not only the current president, Nicolas Maduro, but the country as a whole, providing fuel to the violent protests occurring in the country due to problems such as inflation, government corruption, terrible crime rates and shortages of food. Prior to 1958, Venezuela had been a dictatorship country under the government of General Pérez Jiménez (Golinger 23). Despite his unpopularity, Jimenez left his mark on Venezuela in the form of a myriad of public works (Anderson). In 1961, Venezuela's first constitution was ratified, giving Venezuelans new rights (Golinger... at the center of the document... a figure who led a movement). The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 05 March 2013. Web. 9 April 2014. This article, written shortly after the death of Hugo Chávez, reports the effect that the Chávez administration has had on the course that Venezuela will follow for the future. Svanberg , Carl ". Chávez's socialism was a disaster." Capitalism Magazine. Capitalism Magazine, May 20, 2013. Web. April 11, 2014. This essay provides examples and reasons why socialism will not work in Venezuela. It also shows how socialism has failed so far. Wilpert, Gregory. "The new Constitution of Venezuela". Venezuelanalysis.com, August 27, 2003. Web, April 11, 2014. This article provides information on the history of Venezuela's latest constitution most important, and in some cases controversial, changes in this new constitution.