Venezuela's Coal Dilemma: A Risky Bet

Venezuela is making a bold move with coal. The country is struggling due to U. S. sanctions, so it's focusing on coal to bring in money. They've teamed up with a Turkish company to reopen old mines. The goal is to export over 10 million tons this year. However, this rush is causing problems. Safety measures are being ignored, and the environment is suffering. The government says the economy is getting better, but many businesses have left. Prices are rising, and coal is one of the few things they can sell without breaking U. S. rules. So, they're digging up more coal, even as the world shifts to cleaner energy. The mines are in the northwest, and production started late last year. But there are issues. Ships carrying coal have been attacked, so exports have stopped. The mines are also running out of storage space, so production has paused for now. Local communities are suffering. The mines are polluting the river with harmful chemicals. Many people have had to leave their homes. Those who stay say coal dust is damaging their crops and homes. They're not seeing any benefits from the coal boom. The government wants to expand coal projects, but there's no clear plan to protect the environment. Local groups warn that the mines are causing serious damage, and it could get worse. It's a risky bet that could hurt both the economy and the planet.