Venezuela: Life in Venezuela highlights stark divide between oil wealth, basic living conditions.

SHOTLIST: MARACAIBO, VENEZUELA (JUL. 27, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF STILT HOUSES, WOODEN WALKWAYS AND WATERFRONT COMMUNITY IN AGUA SANTA ROSA 2. VARIOUS OF STREETS IN DOWNTOWN MARACAIBO 3. VARIOUS OF CLOSED SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL STREETS 4. VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS WALKING THROUGH DOWNTOWN MARACAIBO 5. VARIOUS OF DETERIORATING HISTORIC BUILDINGS 6. LAKE MARACAIBO WATERFRONT 7. STILT HOUSES ALONG LAKE SHORE 8. WIDE SHOT OF OIL TANKER OFF LAKE MARACAIBO COASTMARACAIBO, VENEZUELA - JUL. 27: Life in communities surrounding Venezuela's largest oil-producing region continues to reflect a sharp contrast between the country's energy industry and the conditions faced by nearby residents. People living in Agua Santa Rosa, a settlement on the shores of Lake Maracaibo in western Venezuela, were seen on Monday, July 27, navigating deteriorating homes and infrastructure despite their proximity to facilities supporting the country's oil sector. Maracaibo, the capital of the oil-rich Zulia state, remains closely linked to Venezuela's petroleum industry, with crude exports continuing through terminals serving international markets. Residents say the benefits of the country's oil production have done little to improve daily life in their community, where aging housing and neglected surroundings remain part of everyday reality.