A fisherman cruises on lake Maracaibo which is covered with green alge as a result of the oil exploitation. Children use the water to bathe after heat of the day. Respiratory and skin problems are very common amongst the children.

Graffiti on the walls on the street in Caracas urging foreign oil companies to leave the country. They we forced out by Chavez in 2007

residents of a fishing village on lake Maracaibo. Venezuela was so named for these stilted fishing villages which reminded explorers of Venice. Venezuela means essentially Little Venice. Children use the water to bathe after heat of the day. Respiratory and skin problems are very common amongst the children.

A fisherman fixes clothes on Lake Marachaibo. The lake is horrifically polluted and dead fish wash up on the beach regularly. Children use the water to bathe after heat of the day. Respiratory and skin problems are very common amongst the children.

An environmental activist views the oil installations on Lake Maracaibo. Children use the water to bathe after heat of the day. Respiratory and skin problems are very common amongst the children.

Children run past graffiti in a Venezuelan slum.

A woman walks with her paraplegic son in Zulia state. Oil is blamed for many birth defects. Children have been born with no brains and no limbs.

A resident looks at the pollution in the lake outside his lakeside home. Oil is blamed for many birth defects. Children have been born with no brains and no limbs.

An oil pump in Zulia state.

Graffiti on the streets of Caracas backing President Chavez on his Social Reforms, giving more power to the State for natural resource exploitation. They have seized all foreign oil assets and are distributing the wealth amongst the people in the form of cheap gasoline, housing projects, cheap food and education and health projects.

Slums in the City of Caracas.

A Child working in a kiosk in one of the Slums in Venezuela

Graffiti on the streets of Caracas backing President Chavez on his Social Reforms, giving more power to the State for natural resource exploitation. They have seized all foreign oil assets and are distributing the wealth amongst the people in the form of cheap gasoline, housing projects, cheap food and education and health projects.

Residents of a fishing village on lake Maracaibo. Venezuela was so named for these stilted fishing villages which reminded explorers of Venice. Venezuela means essentially Little Venice. Children use the water to bathe after heat of the day. Respiratory and skin problems are very common amoungst the children.

A family on the way home in Zulia state. Venezuelans love American cars and the streets are full of 1970 chevys.