Population: 28,868,486 (July 2014 est.)
Median age: 26.9 years old
Capital: Caracas
Ethnic Groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African and indigenous groups
Religion: Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
GDP: $407.4 billion (2013 est.)
GDP per capita: $13,600 (2013 est.)
Unemployment: 7.9% (2013 est.)
–
February 4, 2014 – University students demonstrate, demanding better security.
February 7, 2014 – Student leaders are detained, which leads to further demonstrations across the country.
February 12-18, 2014 – Unrest in the country leads to demonstrations demanding major social and economic changes. At least three people have been killed during clashes with police. Leopoldo Lopez, leader of the opposition, is arrested and charged with arson, conspiracy, murder and terrorism. Three U.S. diplomats are given 48 hours to leave the country, accused of attempting to destablize the government.
February 20, 2014 – Charges of murder and terrorism against Lopez are dropped. Demonstrations continue.
February 24, 2014 – Attorney General Luisa Ortega Diaz says that 13 people have died since clashes began.
February 25, 2014 – U.S. State Department announces the expulsion of three Venezuelan diplomats.
March 5, 2014 – Venezuela severs diplomatic relations with Panama accusing them of being a “lackey” for the United States in a conspiracy plot against the government.
March 25, 2014 – Venezuela has arrested three air force generals. They are accused of plotting a coup by turning “the air force against the legitimately constituted government.”
