Adriana Loureiro Fernandez, Venezuelan
Neighbors playing board games under a sky lit by gas flares near Punta de Mata in eastern Venezuela, 2023
This photo captures the depressing reality that some Venezuelans must face in their daily lives. While neighbors play games, fires rage behind them as a result of the destructive actions of the combination of industry and corruption. The stark contrast between the top and bottom halves of the photo correlates with the exacerbated economic inequality that is driving this crisis. After the Venezuelan government and the oil industry raked in billions, people are left hungry and facing horrible environmental conditions. With the inability to relocate due to the economic devastation, Venezuelans are forced to play the cards they are dealt. Label by Jackson Schiminger