When Political and Economic Crises Go Hand-in-Hand

Venezuela has been at the forefront of international news, as Maduro has drawn international criticism for tanking the nation's economy and governing with authoritarian leanings. But just a few days ago, the country has called for snap presidential elections to happen in April, months earlier than when elections should happen. Maduro has announced that he will run for reelections then. 

Read more about what happened here: https://www.npr.org/2018/01/25/580655388/venezuela-calls-for-presidential-election-amid-worsening-economic-crisis

When we look at our discussion on the relationship between politics and the economy, Venezuela's current crisis is a clear example. Economic sanctions against Maduro have really affected the population, especially the working class, and as the oil-reliant economy continues to break down, the international community now stands behind the suffering population that can't help but doubt the legitimacy of its government. With the snap elections near and upcoming, experts doubt that they will be neither free and fair nor resolve any national tensions and political turmoil. 

Following the pattern of revolution in other Latin American nations, what are the ways the Venezuelan people can overcome such turmoil? They are without basic resources, so how will this affect their fight against Maduro? 

What makes Venezuela such a unique situation? What about Maduro and Venezuelan politics makes it an outlier to the other nations that overcame or are currently overcoming political corruption and economic crises?