Unintended Consequences: Lessons From Sanctions in Venezuela
Sanctions are a tool to achieve political outcomes, not an end in themselves. Make sure to subscribe to Frank's Substack, it's pretty awesome
One Billion Percent Later
When Chávez took office in 1999, one dollar was worth 5.6 bolivars. 19 years later, the amount of zeros is so long, it’s confusing. Today, regrettably, we reach the one billion later benchmark.
It's Official: Venezuela Enters Hyperinflation
Venezuelan inflation blew past 50% a month, the hyperinflationary threshold.
Ten Million Percent Later
Add another zero to the raging fire of Venezuela’s macroeconomic cataclysm.
31,109 Bolívares for a Dolar, Today
The dollar doubles to 31,000 in less than two months – textbook late Voodoo Populism.
Three Million Percent Later
The bolivar lost two thirds of it's value on the black market in 77 days. We unpack the currency's collapse.
Meth Finance
We thought we’d plumbed the depths of awful government financing deals. But BCV's deal with Goldman Sachs is a new, appalling low.
One million percent later
The price of a dollar is now one million percent higher in bolivars than the day Hugo Chávez was sworn in! Hay Patria!
Pawning Off the Patria
Don't be fooled by talk of 'repo' deals, Venezuela is pawning assets in international credit markets for pennies on the dollar on genuinely horrendous terms.
How Chavismo Mágico is Swallowing PDVSA
Nothing you learn in Business School will prepare you for interpreting the whirlwind of bad news PDVSA has been facing this year.
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