Part 6/12:
This is not solely a U.S. problem. Countries worldwide, including Venezuela and Southeast Asian nations, face similar issues with abandoned or poorly maintained oil infrastructure. Venezuela’s oil boom, which once made Maracaibo a symbol of prosperity, has decayed into economic ruin. Since 2013, thousands of wells have shut down amidst corruption, mismanagement, and sanctions, leading to environmental disasters like oil spills and ecological degradation. The local populations suffer from blackouts, food shortages, and health crises, with many residents forced to leave in search of better opportunities.