Recent forecasts for global growth have been ratcheted down, even as oil prices sink lower and put more money in consumers' wallets. Economists see several factors changing things.
Venezuela is a key supplier of baseball talent to the U.S. major leagues. Players come up through baseball academies run by the teams. But now, many academies are being shut down.
Colombia would like to coordinate with Venezuela to fight the virus. That's not happening. Meanwhile, Venezuelans who cross the border may be bringing Zika with them.
In Venezuela, bread, meat, milk and other staples are scarce these days. So Venezuela's government is urging urban slum dwellers to grow and raise their own food. But it's a challenge.
It depends who you ask. But Venezuela could be the next ground zero for Zika. And government information is in short supply. So are doctors, medicines and even mosquito repellent.
Venezuela's opposition won a landslide victory in Dec. 6 legislative elections, raising new hopes for the release of dozens of political prisoners — including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez.
The collapse of the economy, combined with sky-high inflation, has left university professors earning about $35 a month. Droves of professionals have left, seeking opportunities abroad.