Colombia and Venezuela have long since attempted to develop diplomatic relations among the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Colombia. Diplomacy between both countries has been ongoing since the 16th century. However, Venezuela has made changes that countries like Colombia have steered clear from doing. Venezuela progresses towards anti-globalization whereas Colombia stands still. This essay is meant to highlight each country and how the people within both respective nations live, eat, dress, and the countries' economies and businesses.
Types of Employment
Venezuela's economy depends heavily on the export of oil. Its main industry is the oil industry with the proven biggest oil crude oil reserves in the world. Elected President Hugo Chavez, chosen via a populist platform in a 1998 election, consolidate state control over finances and the economy as well as nationalization of the country's electricity and telephone companies. Even though Chavez died and was succeeded by vice president Maduro, things have not looked up since Maduro's presidency began. "President Maduro's government has faced ongoing protests and civil unrest since the beginning of 2014. There are growing signs that Maduro's support in the region is dwindling, as neighboring countries have expressed concern about his government's response to the crisis, including the aggressive treatment of protesters" (Gutierrez, 2015).
Furthermore, the Central Bank of Venezuela, responsible for the development of monetary policy when it comes to the Venezuelan bolivar (the nation's currency), does nothing to strengthen and protect property rights. For instance, expropriation without reimbursement is not unusual. Eighty percent of the country's exports or approximately 1/3 of the nation's GDP comes from the petroleum sector. Employment for most of the country centers on the oil industry. Only 17% of jobs come from manufacturing. What the country manufactures are industry products like aluminum, steel, cement, electronic, foodstuffs, and automobiles. Agriculture only accounts for 3% of GDP and one-tenth the labor force. Food exports include corn, coffee, pork, and beef, among other exports.
Colombia, the opposite of Venezuela in terms of economy, has an agrarian economy. Although Colombia experienced rapid urbanization in the last century, almost a quarter or 22.7% of the labor force remain employed in agriculture. Over half or 58.5% of employment went to services and makes up 52.5% of GDP. Unlike Venezuela, which has experienced some instability when it comes to certain financial issues, Colombia's growth rate has experienced ongoing growth. In fact, it experienced the highest growth of 6.9% in 2007 making it the highest that year of any country in Latin America.
Many of the reasons why Colombia remained agrarian even with its rapid urbanization are the plethora of rich resources within the country. Its main exports, cotton, coffee, oils, and sugars make it so they require a labor force to meet the demands of export. Although the illegal cocaine drug trade has haunted Colombia, people have seen a change in policy and implementation of new ventures. In fact, Colombia has over 5,500 research groups in technology and science. A government body called iNNpulsa, promotes innovation and entrepreneurship within the country, by providing grants to startups, including other services it and organizations like Apps.co provide.
Neighborhood Change
Venezuela has several communities or neighborhoods that experience impoverished and isolated conditions. The Late Hugo Chavez implemented a national social welfare program called the "Mission inside the Neighborhood" to alleviate the poor conditions in some of the neighborhoods. Essentially the program seeks to offer comprehensive dental care, publicly funded health care, and sports training to those living in impoverished areas. Medical clinics have been built thanks to the program. Although some aspects of the program have been successful, some remain abandoned and forgotten with funds diverted to other things making the people of such neighborhood develop their own programs to alleviate their conditions. "Working families have come together to found community spaces and cooperative companies, coordinate social programs and renovate neighborhood houses, grounding their actions in principles of solidarity and collectivity." (Azzellini)
When it comes to the rich areas in Venezuela, politicians tend to live there. In fact, their homes are so big, some plantations or haciendas, house hundreds of workers with larger ones having 1,200 workers at a time. These regions are few compared to the majority of middle or impoverished zones.
Colombia has an extremely wide gap when it comes to the rich and the poor. In fact, the United Nations explains the economic gap between the rich and poor are the widest in Latin America. From 1990 to 2010, Colombia's inequality in urban centres...
This may be due to the imbalanced economic model Colombia has. "Colombia's "markets work under the logic of hoarding or restricting (money and opportunities)." In Medellin, he says, "the oligarchy continues to control the economy in the region, preventing wealth from reaching the poor." (Howlett) In essence, rich people make their money straight from monopolies. These monopolies exist in protected sectors that are shielded and generated by the government. So rich neighborhoods are extremely rich and decadent whereas the poor neighborhoods are extremely poor. Some neighborhoods do not have running water and people exist with barely any food or clean water.
Role of Tourism/Different Types of Tourism
Venezuela has natural attractions that should provide incredible tourist attractions for visitors. With the highest waterfall in the world and almost deserted Caribbean island, ocean views, and dense jungles, the country has everything to make a great escape for any tourist. However, tourism seems to be at a decline.
Officials are struggling to draw travelers, with only 700,000 visitors each year, in part due to Venezuela's somewhat tarnished image. After neglecting the tourism sector for years, in favor of the lucrative oil industry -- Venezuela has the world's largest reserves -- the government in Caracas is now working hard to attract visitor. (NewsComAu)
Since the government sought to make money on the oil industry, it neglected the other lucrative industry, the tourist industry. Only now has the Venezuelan government decided to change things, revamp their tourist attractions, and advertise their country's beauty.
Colombia, unlike Venezuela, embraces tourism for its economy. In fact, Colombia has several major tourist destinations like Cartagena as well as its historic surroundings. The country's capital, Bogota, improved its museums and made significant urban renovations to its entertainment facilities and public areas like parks and cycling routes. Colombia is also attempting to advertise its varied landscape from Pacific coasts to Andean and Amazon regions. In fact, Colombia has the greatest potential out of other countries besides Costa Rica, for ecotourism. Figures do not lie, aside from the drug conflicts in Colombia; tourism has increased in the last decade. "In 2013 alone Colombia attracted 1.7 million tourists; more than a 300% increase compared to the number of visitors in 2002. Similarly, the latest tourism revenue figures from the World Bank equate to approximately $3.2 billion; whereas in 2002 it was close to $1.2 billion." (Khan et al.) Things look up for Colombia's tourism industry, unlike Venezuela and its focus on the oil industry.
Role of Sport, Music, Food, and Clothing
Venezuela's culture has a mix of influences. Music like Gaita has become one of the important and traditional music genres of Venezuela. This kind of music is heard commonly during festival celebrations. There are festivals like the Drumming Feast of St. John and more notably, Carnival. "Carnival in Venezuela is celebrated in the month of February forty days before the Easter Sunday every year. It is one of the most popular festivals in Venezuela. Venezuela Carnival is celebrated in the grandest way in the coastal towns and villages than any part of the country." (Mapsofworld.com) The main sport there is soccer and clothing is typical of many other countries nearby where white collars where suits and farmers wear what they wear outside while working.
Colombia has festivities and sporting events like Venezuela too. Soccer is a popular sport there and so is feminine beauty. Colombia celebrates each November; a beauty pageant called Miss Colombia that brings is as many fans as soccer does. In relation to festivities, Colombia celebrates church holidays like the Epiphany, January 6 and All Saints Day, November 1. The style of clothing favored by city professionals and the upper and middle classes is comparable to that in the United States. White, mestizo, and mulatto women and men choose traditional dark suits. Persons from pastoral areas repeatedly wear the same clothes in the fields as well as at home. Men typically wear loose-fitting pants. Women wear loose-fitting skirts. People living in the highlands wear cloaks.
Conclusion
Colombia and Venezuela are amazing countries that have progressed from decades past. Although the oil industry plays a big role in the progression of Venezuela, it has attempted at bettering the lives of its people and the economy. Colombia still has some issues economically with the financial gap between the poor and rich widening. However, Colombia's tourism has grown and delivered much needed revenue back into the country and its people. Both countries have different views on what approaches to adopt to solve their problems. Regardless, Venezuela and Colombia have come a long way from its earlier beginnings and…
