When Venezuela launched a program in to extend retirement benefits to all seniors —whether they had paid into the pension system or not — it was praised throughout the region for its generosity. Six years later, however, few seniors seem to be feeling that love, as skyrocketing inflation, failing hospitals and the lack of even basic medicine have made them critically vulnerable amid a continuing crisis.

Venezuela is in the midst of national protests that have left more than 40 dead on both sides of the political divide. Since April 1, demonstrators have been demanding new elections, the firing of judges and the delivery of humanitarian aid. But seniors are increasingly joining the fray. Venezuelans demand elections, their offered new constitution.

Video shows an elderly woman being carried away after she was apparently teargassed on the streets of Caracas. Venezuela is oil rich but poor in everything else, and it imports almost 90 percent of all products. Amid weak crude prices, rampant corruption and general mismanagement, even basic goods are hard to come by.

Aspirin, diabetes medication and antibiotics — critical to seniors — are often impossible to find. She also had an untreated urinary-tract infection for three months due to lack of medicine. Amid deadly looting, shopkeepers fortify. Other pharmaceutical organizations say 85 percent of all medicine is either unavailable or in short supply.

Among the critical issues for seniors is that runaway inflation, which the IMF expects will hit percent this year, has decimated purchasing power. Venezuela has been wracked by an economic crisis with soaring inflation and shortages of commercial goods.

Most economists blame the woes on price controls, falling prices for oil exports, heavy government spending and production-crippling policies that buying ge stock should i Venezuelans lots of money but little purchasing power.

But the raise was quickly undermined by an equivalent spike in prices, said Cano, who runs an advocacy group for pensioners and retirees known by its initials, the UFAJUP. Cano said a making money garbage picking needs at least one million bolivares a month to put food on the table. On Wednesday, for example, Cano said he spent more than a third of his pension on just two items: As Venezuela seethes, focus how much will i get paid for donating sperm to role of military.

But at least pensioners living in Venezuela are getting some government money.

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Earlier this week, Maduro extended an economic emergency decree for the seventh time, giving him sweeping powers over the economy. But Cano and others said the only way for the country to emerge from the crisis is for Maduro to step aside, not take more control.

News Sports Business Real Estate. Fnb namibia foreign exchange rates Weddle Special to the Miami Herald. Venezuela May 19, 7: By Cody Weddle and Jim Wyss jwyss miamiherald.

CARACAS, Venezuela When Venezuela launched a program in to extend retirement benefits to all seniors —whether they had paid into the pension system or not — it was praised throughout the region for its generosity. Venezuelan national guard opens fire on protesters.

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Protester shot by Venezuelan national guard during clash. Venezuelan tank plows through apartment building's gate. Protesters jump into canal to flee government bullets in Venezuela. Protesters block Caracas roads with debris fires. Venezuelan military officials discuss using snipers against protesters.

Young man plays violin during violent clash with police in Venezuela. Venezuelan dissident Leopoldo Lopez honored by Rick Scott.

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Police tank runs over crowd of protesters in Caracas. Share Video Video link: Elderly woman teargassed in Venezuela protests Video shows an elderly woman being carried away after she was apparently teargassed on the streets of Caracas. Looting and chaos in Venezuela Venezuela has been wracked by an economic crisis with soaring inflation and shortages of commercial goods.

Follow Jim Wyss on Twitter jimwyss.

A woman holds a handwritten message that reads in Spanish: Never miss a local story. Sign up today for a 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access. With Venezuela in chaos, asylum petitions have tripled. Most seek refuge in U. In embattled Venezuela, human rights groups push legal escape hatch for Maduro regime. After a year in a Venezuelan jail, former missionary from Utah is losing hope. Venezuela top lawyer decries constitutional overhaul, distances herself from Maduro.

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