State Of Emergency Declared In Venezuela

05:30

May 16, 2016

Opponents of the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro take part in a demonstration in Caracas on May 14, 2016. Venezuela braced for protests Saturday after Maduro declared a state of emergency to combat the "foreign aggression" he blamed for an economic crisis that has pushed the country to the brink of collapse. (Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images)

Venezuela is struggling both economically and politically, facing massive food shortages, regular blackouts, skyrocketing inflation and an increasingly dire public health situation. Hospitals lack beds, antibiotics, medical equipment, doctors, even running water. U.S. intelligence officials said Friday that the country may be on the verge of a crisis. Just hours later, President Nicolas Maduro declared a 60-day state of emergency to "stabilize our country, and confront all the international and national threats against our fatherland."

Here & Now's Robin Young talks to Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic, about what's going on in Venezuela, and why.

Guest

Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic. He tweets @DKThomp.

This segment aired on May 16, 2016.