How Venezuela Looked 10 Years Ago

Venezuela's crisis is growing more serious by the day with the U.S. now imposing sanctions on the country's state-owned PDVSA oil firm and urging the military to accept a peaceful transfer of power. What a difference a decade makes. Only ten years ago, Venezuela was the United States' 10th most important trading partner but today, it is in 33rd spot.

The following infographic shows how key social and economic data from Venezuela in 2007 and 2008 compares to today. The value of U.S. oil imports from Venezuela has fallen steeply from just under $44 billion in 2008 to $8.6 billion last lear. The poverty rate and lack of share of the population with no confidence in the government have increased significantly while the inflation rate has exploded.