Venezuela's currency is practically worthless, to put it lightly. Their economy is struggling in a way that even Greece can't contend with. Both countries do have something in common however, and that is their government is extremely corrupt, which is the root of their economic woes. The Venezuelan government is claiming that the bolivar, their national currency, is valued at ten bolivars to the dollar, however that is not even close to the truth. The real street value of the bolivar, according to a website run by a Home Depot employee, is over four thousand bolivars to the dollar. This man's website, DolarToday, has a profound effect on the Venezuelan economy in a way that you might not expect. His website serves the purpose of helping the citizens of Venezuela correctly calculate the real value of their currency in order to complete transactions effectively. Without this website the true value of the bolivar might not be common knowledge to most Venezuelans, which would make the situation even worse. Gustavo Diaz's website also serves the purpose of publishing economic news which the Venezuelan government would most likely censor. Diaz says the purpose of his site is to protest the dictatorship in Venezuela as well as assist its citizens at the same time. This man's small website is single handedly keeping Venezuela's economy from imploding more than it already has.
-Joey Arzeno
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