Venezuela, like many countries in Latin America, has been plagued by poverty and unequal income distribution for decades. This made this oil-rich country prone to come under the political influence of populist leaders such as former President Hugo Chavez. - Venezuela, like many countries in Latin America, has been plagued by poverty and unequal income distribution for decades. This made this oil-rich country prone to come under the political influence of populist leaders such as former President Hugo Chavez.